The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It doesn't appear that their will be any items brought to PAC this month requiring variances. This will likely become more common in the future, as recent changes have expanded the capacity of city planning to grant "as of right" building permits.

Interesting to note that over $66M in building permits were issued by the city in November alone. This is a staggering amount, but we have no idea what they were for.

The expansion of the use of "as of right" building permits is bad news for us as this means that we will have less access to construction plans for us to discuss.

Can you define what as of right means? I think I understand the concept but not the particulars of how it’s defined.

[jonny golden]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It doesn't appear that their will be any items brought to PAC this month requiring variances. This will likely become more common in the future, as recent changes have expanded the capacity of city planning to grant "as of right" building permits.

Interesting to note that over $66M in building permits were issued by the city in November alone. This is a staggering amount, but we have no idea what they were for.

The expansion of the use of "as of right" building permits is bad news for us as this means that we will have less access to construction plans for us to discuss.

$66 million in one month! Has to include one of the potential projects that we've been eagerly anticipating. We could see a very busy construction season coming up.

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

Can you define what as of right means? I think I understand the concept but not the particulars of how it’s defined.

That a developed can develop their property as they see fit, as long as it complies with the current zoning regulations.

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

Can you define what as of right means? I think I understand the concept but not the particulars of how it’s defined.

The zoning in an area sets out certain conditions that a building needs to meet. Usage, size, lot placement etc. If your project meets all those conditions, you don't need any approval beyond the usual engineering and building permit type stuff. "As of right"

Projects go to the PAC when variances (or permission to break the rules within reason) are needed because the project otherwise wouldn't quite fit. Often it's things like setbacks from edges of lots, number of entrances, multiple buildings on a lot etc.

There are certain types of projects that basically always go to PAC, like apartment buildings. The plan is to make more of these projects 'as-of-right', which is how things are done in a lot of municipalities. Speeds up the planning process.

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

The zoning in an area sets out certain conditions that a building needs to meet. Usage, size, lot placement etc. If your project meets all those conditions, you don't need any approval beyond the usual engineering and building permit type stuff. "As of right"

Projects go to the PAC when variances (or permission to break the rules within reason) are needed because the project otherwise wouldn't quite fit. Often it's things like setbacks from edges of lots, number of entrances, multiple buildings on a lot etc.

There are certain types of projects that basically always go to PAC, like apartment buildings. The plan is to make more of these projects 'as-of-right', which is how things are done in a lot of municipalities. Speeds up the planning process.

That makes a lot more sense now. Thanks! Another question, does the city publish a list of building permits that are issued. In my hometown on PEI, they have a published list of upcoming building permits and approved ones. It basically would just have the address and what’s being built (single family home, retail addition, property subdivision, apartment building etc) it’s pretty general in its description but it gives you a basic idea of what’s going on.

[MonctonRad]

City seeks input on future of Vision Lands
Public sessions on Vision Lands master plan will be held Jan. 18 and 23 at 7 p.m. at Mapleton Rotary Pavilion
Author of the article:Alan Cochrane
Published Jan 12, 2024 • Last updated 1 day ago • 3 minute read
https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/ci...f-vision-lands (paywall)

The city will hold interactive consultation sessions on Jan. 18 and Jan. 23 at the Mapleton Rotary Pavilion at 610 Mapleton Road. Both sessions will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. People who wish to attend should register in advance through the city’s website at letschatmoncton.ca.

For those who are interested but can’t attend, the website has a survey which provides an opportunity to share opinions on what type of housing, schools, businesses, parks and services the area should have in the future.

The article states that the Vision Lands are vital to the future growth and development of the city. The population of the city (not the CMA) is expected to grow by about 35,000 over the next 25 years. It should be noted that projections suggest the CMA will grow by closer to 70,000 during that same time interval, giving a regional population of close to 250,000.

4-5 new schools will be necessary, including a new anglophone high school. The plan suggests an extension of Louis J Robichaud through to Crowley Farm Road (and U de M), creating a Moncton equivalent of Dieppe Blvd, with a similar development style. The watershed of the north branch of Hall's Creek would be preserved, and turned into a new regional park, with trailways and opportunities for active transportation. Leopold Belliveau would be extended through to LJR in the east, and Moncton St and Lady Ada would be connected to LJR in the west.

This public consultation should be quite interesting for those thinking of attending.

[MonctonRad]

Moncton building permits reach $341M in 2023
The City of Moncton is on track to add approximately 1,000 new housing units per year to keep up with the growing demand for the future
Author of the article:Alan Cochrane
Published Jan 15, 2024 • 3 minute read
https://tj.news/moncton-miramichi/mo...h-341m-in-2023 (paywall)

Following is the value of building permits in Moncton over the last five years:

• 2019: $256.3 million

• 2020: $267,1 million

• 2021: $296.4 million

• 2022: $365 million

• 2023: $341.8 million

[josh_cat_eyes]

https://youtu.be/nQKCYxYCluA?si=LnJLuF8ZCRiKmRmx

A pretty interesting video on how we can fix suburbs. I hope Moncton pays attention to these ideas when planning for the vision lands.

[MonctonGoldenTri]

Any idea on 2023's population growth? I read an article a couple months ago stating we were on track to surpasses 2022's growth. If this is true Moncton's CMA could be 180,000+

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonGoldenTri

Any idea on 2023's population growth? I read an article a couple months ago stating we were on track to surpasses 2022's growth. If this is true Moncton's CMA could be 180,000+

Stats Can estimates are usually released in late January or early February, but, recent discussions on the SSP Canada section suggest there will be some delay this year (as they fudge their estimates), and likely won't be available until early spring.

[new kid in town]

We've been talking regularly about the need for new schools, but with Moncton's booming population--when should we worry about possibly needing a 3rd hospital? Or is there enough room for expansion for either hospitals that can support the growing population? (lack of staff notwithstanding)

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Originally Posted by new kid in town

We've been talking regularly about the need for new schools, but with Moncton's booming population--when should we worry about possibly needing a 3rd hospital? Or is there enough room for expansion for either hospitals that can support the growing population? (lack of staff notwithstanding)

Good topic, I've thought about this myself. There's only so much expansion room available. I think soon we should maybe start looking at that, although I don't know how the judge this and what type of numbers they look at.

[new kid in town]

Originally Posted by MonctonianSentinel01

Good topic, I've thought about this myself. There's only so much expansion room available. I think soon we should maybe start looking at that, although I don't know how the judge this and what type of numbers they look at.

Thank you. I suppose the next question would be: would it primarily be an English or a French hospital? Or can there be a united effort between Horizon and Vitalité to serve both?

Or would creating bigger hospitals elsewhere in the CMA be more beneficial? Maybe Salisbury? Or Shediac (not really the Moncton CMA yet but still pretty close)?

[josh_cat_eyes]

Originally Posted by new kid in town

Thank you. I suppose the next question would be: would it primarily be an English or a French hospital? Or can there be a united effort between Horizon and Vitalité to serve both?

Or would creating bigger hospitals elsewhere in the CMA be more beneficial? Maybe Salisbury? Or Shediac (not really the Moncton CMA yet but still pretty close)?

I wonder if a small hospital in Shediac could be warranted. Sackville has one, so why not Shediac. It would likely be a Vitalitie facility.

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

I wonder if a small hospital in Shediac could be warranted. Sackville has one, so why not Shediac. It would likely be a Vitalitie facility.

True. I don't see why we even need two Health Care Corps. Why not all of them just be bilingual, and anglos who don't speak both, shouldn't be denied a job. Worse case scenarios, a French language program should be offered to them at no cost. Just a thought, but I know there would be many things that would need to be ironed out. There's no reason why we should need two hospitals built just because we couldn't share one.

Somewhat agree on the Shediac location. In comparison to Sackville, Shediac is much closer than Sackville is and the time to travel is much lower. I am glad and agree that Sackville should have had one first. Next best bet is probably Shediac though, in terms of new hospitals outside of the CMA, especially with the population growing.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

I wonder if a small hospital in Shediac could be warranted. Sackville has one, so why not Shediac. It would likely be a Vitalitie facility.

There is a hospital in Ste Anne de Kent, similar to the hospital in Sackville.

I think eventually, a new hospital in the metro area may be necessary, but, to what end?

- if the issue is a capacity one, then, a new community hospital in Shediac might make sense.

- if the focus is on more specialized care, then I posit the creation of a new provincial children's hospital in metro Moncton. There could be only one, therefore it would have to be bilingual. Most pediatric specialists practice only in pediatric hospitals, therefore, by having such a facility, NB would overnight up it's game in terms of the quality of pediatric care available. Meanwhile, existing pediatric wings at both city hospitals could be repurposed.

- aside from this, if the system could get rid of the bed blockers, this would instantly increase hospital capacity by about 50%. So, by having sufficient nursing home beds in the province, this would delay the need for new inpatient adult beds in the existing hospitals y 50 years or so.

-Build nursing homes and most of the other problems would g away (aside from staff shortages).

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

There is a hospital in Ste Anne de Kent, similar to the hospital in Sackville.

I think eventually, a new hospital in the metro area may be necessary, but, to what end?

- if the issue is a capacity one, then, a new community hospital in Shediac might make sense.

- if the focus is on more specialized care, then I posit the creation of a new provincial children's hospital in metro Moncton. There could be only one, therefore it would have to be bilingual. Most pediatric specialists practice only in pediatric hospitals, therefore, by having such a facility, NB would overnight up it's game in terms of the quality of pediatric care available. Meanwhile, existing pediatric wings at both city hospitals could be repurposed.

- aside from this, if the system could get rid of the bed blockers, this would instantly increase hospital capacity by about 50%. So, by having sufficient nursing home beds in the province, this would delay the need for new inpatient adult beds in the existing hospitals y 50 years or so.

-Build nursing homes and most of the other problems would g away (aside from staff shortages).

That's great to know. Good thing that there are some more nursing homes in the metro area under construction.

[new kid in town]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

- aside from this, if the system could get rid of the bed blockers, this would instantly increase hospital capacity by about 50%. So, by having sufficient nursing home beds in the province, this would delay the need for new inpatient adult beds in the existing hospitals y 50 years or so.

-Build nursing homes and most of the other problems would g away (aside from staff shortages).

Originally Posted by MonctonianSentinel01

That's great to know. Good thing that there are some more nursing homes in the metro area under construction.

Good point on nursing homes. Considering we expect Canada's ageing population to continue its growing trend for several more years, there should probably be more in the works in the next few years in addition to what is already being built currently.

[sailor734]

Originally Posted by new kid in town

Good point on nursing homes. Considering we expect Canada's ageing population to continue its growing trend for several more years, there should probably be more in the works in the next few years in addition to what is already being built currently.

I think we need more staff rather than just more beds. Apparently there are some 250+ existing nursing home beds out of service in the province due to lack of staff.

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Originally Posted by sailor734

I think we need more staff rather than just more beds. Apparently there are some 250+ existing nursing home beds out of service in the province due to lack of staff.

Are those up north I wonder?