[Moncton] Vision Lands | Dense Mixed Use Neighbourhood | up to 16 storeys | Proposed

[Leroy321]

Vision Lands is a large-scale master-planned development covering 562.6 acres, designed to blend suburban living with mid-rise urban density. The project includes a mix of suburban homes and apartment buildings rising 14–16 floors, delivering an estimated 12,000–14,000 residential units in total. A defining feature of Vision Lands is its commitment to livability, with 34% of the site preserved as parkland and open green space, supporting walkability, recreation, and community health. The development is jointly owned by five owners and is envisioned as a long-term, thoughtfully phased community that balances growth, density, and environmental quality. This project will be going for public hearing on April 7th.

Some renders from the meeting:

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Moncton continuing to lead the way in terms of high rise developments in New Brunswick.

The hub city truly has the vision to build up! 🆙🏙️⬆️

[MonctonRad]

I've been on the brink of creating a Vision Lands development thread several times over the last few years. What has held me back was the fact that the plans always seemed aspirational, and, required major infrastructure before anything could really start.

The plans have become increasing more solidified over the last couple of years, and, all seven landowners in the western portion of the Vision Lands are now apparently fully on board, so, I guess now is as good of a time as any to begin this thread.

As you have pointed out, the plans for the western portions of the Vision Lands envision up to 14,000 residential units providing housing for 40,000 people. They mentioned during the presentation that maximum building height in the suburban downtown portion of the development would be up to 18 storeys, not 16 storey. Total buildout will take at least 30 years.

Nothing will happen until LJR Blvd is built, and Leopold Belliveau Avenue is extended. These two streets will provide the spine along which the remainder of the development will be built from. There is still no time frame for the construction of these two streets, I imagine they will be looking for provincial and possibly federal funding to get things started. This may take several years.

So, even though the Vision Lands concept has been around for well over a decade, the plans for the nearby Station Yards development are much more advanced. In particular, the internal road network in the Station Yards will be completed early this summer, and I would not at all be surprised to see the first buildings going up in the Station Yards this fall. Optimistically, I think the western portion of the Vision Lands are still a few years away from seeing any substantive development

There are baby steps occurring in the eastern portion of the Vision Lands, and, in particular, there are firm plans to begin the extension of Leopold Belliveau. This however is not part of this particular visioning process.

The eastern and western portions of the Vision Lands are separated by the recently approved new regional park along the north branch of Hall's Creek. They plan on putting in a new high school (presumably anglophone) along the park boundary, including a sports field complex and room for a major civic facility of some form (they floated the idea of a library or swimming complex). The school and parkland will be connected to the rest of the Vision Lands by active transportation trails. They mentioned the possibility of a second school as well (presumably k-8). With 40,000 new residents, this is not unreasonable.

The northern boundary of the Vision Lands (along the TCH on Moncton Street) will be zoned commercial, and, they foresee a grocery store here and retail plazas.

Here is the YouTube link to the city council meeting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWMmRuCnTOo

The interesting bit begins at 2:13:26, and included some nifty flyby animations

[MonctonRad]

Here are a few more screen captures from the city council presentation:


There is an old quarry in the central part of the western portion of the Vision Lamds. The plan is to turn this into a wetlands park.


This shows the proposed high school backing on the regional park being created along the course of the north branch of Hall's Creek/ You can also see the sports field complex, and space for a civic complex of some form. At present, this is envisaged as an aquatic facility and/or a regional library.


A low density residential street with SFHs, with the suburban town centre in the background.


Another residential street lined by stacked townhomes, again with the suburban town centre in the background


New retail/commercial land on Canada Street, next to the TCH. Some medium density residential is seen in the foreground.

[MonctonRad]

There will be a presentation before Moncton PAC on February 25th. Documentation should be posted online about two weeks prior to this meeting. This should make for an interesting read.

[OliverD]

Great looking renderings. Would be nice if the SFHs actually use that vernacular style although I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

It does seem a bit odd that the retail complex is pushed to the edge of the neighbourhood amongst low density homes rather than being more centrally located in the higher density area. With that sort of a population one would think a "downtown" grocery store would be viable even if it means more limited parking options.

[Leroy321]

Does anyone know who any of the owners of the property are?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by OliverD

Great looking renderings. Would be nice if the SFHs actually use that vernacular style although I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

It does seem a bit odd that the retail complex is pushed to the edge of the neighbourhood amongst low density homes rather than being more centrally located in the higher density area. With that sort of a population one would think a "downtown" grocery store would be viable even if it means more limited parking options.

The intent of the plan is to have SFH neighbourhoods exactly like this The lots have narrow frontage with single width driveways off to the side, and there will be covenants regarding style. The presenter mentioned front facing verandas on the homes, and no bungalows.

There will be a commercial component to the town centre. I think the retail area facing the TCH is simply an acknowledgement of the reality of suburban shopping centres, and is simply an extension of what already exists on Canada Street (Kent), and the adjacent Mapleton Crossing development. They have attempted to mute this by placing medium density apartment buildings between the suburban shopping centre district and the nearby SFH neighbourhood.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Leroy321

Does anyone know who any of the owners of the property are?

This was brought up in previous discussions regarding the Vision Lands in the [Moncton] Northwest thread about a year ago or so. I forget who the land owners are, but Irving is definitely one of them. Thrive Properties used to own a lot of land here, but they have divested themselves of this.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Nothing will happen until LJR Blvd is built, and Leopold Belliveau Avenue is extended. These two streets will provide the spine along which the remainder of the development will be built from. There is still no time frame for the construction of these two streets, I imagine they will be looking for provincial and possibly federal funding to get things started. This may take several years.

I would think that Moncton would be looking to CHIF for funding that, much like how Fredericton is looking to pay for much of the infrastructure required for the proposed Southeast New Neighbourhood via that fund.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The intent of the plan is to have SFH neighbourhoods exactly like this The lots have narrow frontage with single width driveways off to the side, and there will be covenants regarding style. The presenter mentioned front facing verandas on the homes, and no bungalows.

There will be a commercial component to the town centre. I think the retail area facing the TCH is simply an acknowledgement of the reality of suburban shopping centres, and is simply an extension of what already exists on Canada Street (Kent), and the adjacent Mapleton Crossing development. They have attempted to mute this by placing medium density apartment buildings between the suburban shopping centre district and the nearby SFH neighbourhood.

No bungalows is an odd choice. They could still use the same style and it would be more accessible for older people, or for people who simply want a smaller home. Something along these lines:



I do think that if you're going for that more traditional narrow lot style of single family home it's worth exploring having back alleys and no driveways facing the street. That way it's safer for pedestrians (no backing over the sidewalk, no car blocking the sidewalk), you get more street parking for visitors, and it just generally looks nicer.

I understand that the town centre would have a commercial component, I just think that the odds of having an actual grocery store within that centre seem quite slim if there is a large format suburban store not far away. Hopefully I'm proven wrong.

[Nashe]

Whatever you do, don't read the FB comments. I gotta give Jeff credit, he really tries to educate them, but oh my... If you're here, Jeff & Brian: kudos to you.

"The proposal turns a quarry into a park and pond." - "BuT wHeRe WiLl tEh DuKs lIve?!?!"
"The proposal can house 10,000 people." - "tHaNkS fOr RaIsInG mY rEnT!"
"...but that will drive rents down due to more supply..." - "YaH 4 rIcH pEoPle!!!!!"
"It is great infill and has all services included in it!" - "oMG!!! 15-mInUte CiTee! IloomInAtEE!"

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Nashe

Whatever you do, don't read the FB comments. I gotta give Jeff credit, he really tries to educate them, but oh my... If you're here, Jeff & Brian: kudos to you.

"The proposal turns a quarry into a park and pond." - "BuT wHeRe WiLl tEh DuKs lIve?!?!"
"The proposal can house 10,000 people." - "tHaNkS fOr RaIsInG mY rEnT!"
"...but that will drive rents down due to more supply..." - "YaH 4 rIcH pEoPle!!!!!"
"It is great infill and has all services included in it!" - "oMG!!! 15-mInUte CiTee! IloomInAtEE!"

Lots of angry bitter people out there.

My favourites are the 15-minute city crowd. They think being able to walk to a corner store for 2 litres of milk is a WEF plot.

[OliverD]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Lots of angry bitter people out there.

My favourites are the 15-minute city crowd. They think being able to walk to a corner store for 2 litres of milk is a WEF plot.

All because Mark Carney is a globalist. Whatever that means.

[Leroy321]

Here is the document:
https://www5.moncton.ca/docs/pac/PAC/Feb_25_2026/6a_Vision_Lands_Avis_Public_Notice.pdf

[lirette]

I can't even imagine trying to tell the young dude I was back in the 2010's who thought we'd never replace the coliseum that we'd have the following developments either completed, underway or potentially underway by 2030

-Vision Lands
-Riverfront Project
-All of the development downtown (gateway towers, three sisters, hotels etc)
-Station Yards

[Nashe]

There are still people who consider the Avenir Centre a "White Elephant".
It was probably the critical transformative project for downtown in... forever.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Nashe

There are still people who consider the Avenir Centre a "White Elephant".
It was probably the critical transformative project for downtown in... forever.

I guarantee you that such people do exist.

- It's all a scam,
- People are just lining their pockets.
- All things like this do is to increase your property taxes.
- But what about the parking?
- There's too much traffic as there is!
- I preferred Moncton back in the 1960s when it was a small town.
- TORONTO EAST!!!!!!

etc, etc, etc.

[David_99]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I guarantee you that such people do exist.

- It's all a scam,
- People are just lining their pockets.
- All things like this do is to increase your property taxes.
- But what about the parking?
- There's too much traffic as there is!
- I preferred Moncton back in the 1960s when it was a small town.
- TORONTO EAST!!!!!!

etc, etc, etc.

Unfortunately, this sounds like a family member of mine. Although, if all of her conspiracy theories were correct, all of these people would have been “dealt with” by Covid. Oh, also, spoilers… The Earth is flat… 🤦

[new kid in town]

Yeah the facebook comments are horrendous and terribly misinformed lol