The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[bingun]

Just when you think Saint John may finally win at something, we come in second place. Those damn Albertans.

Canadians say they would consider relocating to one of the country’s 15 most affordable cities: survey

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/ca...untrys-15-most-affordable-cities-survey/

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by bingun

Just when you think Saint John may finally win at something, we come in second place. Those damn Albertans.

Canadians say they would consider relocating to one of the country’s 15 most affordable cities: survey

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/ca...untrys-15-most-affordable-cities-survey/

Well, we have the lowest house prices on that list of cities by far. Seems absurd that it’s cheaper to buy an equivalent house in Saint John than in Thunder Bay.

[bingun]

Address: 145 Lansdowne Avenue / Ref. 0 Harrington Street

PID: Portions of PIDs: 55236491, 00370973

Application Details: The Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) has received an application requesting a rezoning of the existing parking lots located behind the Subway Restaurant at 145 Lansdowne Avenue and at the border of Harrington Street and Sears Street. The proposal is to rezone the property from the General Commercial (CG) zone to the Mid-Rise Residential (RM) zone. The applicant is requesting this rezoning to develop three, new multi-unit residential buildings.

[darkharbour]

It's about time that lot got developed into residential! Can't wait to see the proposal.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

It's about time that lot got developed into residential! Can't wait to see the proposal.

I wonder if they were waiting for the North End Plan to become finalized before moving ahead. The timing appears that way. No more details other than the image included, hopefully, we will get an idea of the unit count during PAC. What is the max height of mid-rise zoning?

In other news, the old Vito's on Rothesay Avenue is being demolished, according to several videos and pictures I saw on Facebook today. From memory, it has been vacant since COVID.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by bingun

I wonder if they were waiting for the North End Plan to become finalized before moving ahead. The timing appears that way. No more details other than the image included, hopefully, we will get an idea of the unit count during PAC. What is the max height of mid-rise zoning?

In other news, the old Vito's on Rothesay Avenue is being demolished, according to several videos and pictures I saw on Facebook today. From memory, it has been vacant since COVID.

The North End plan concepts for Lansdowne were for six storeys, with the recommendation being that taller buildings be located to the southeast, such as along the Main St., Metcalf, Hilyard area.

Mid-rise in this application would probably mean six stories if I had to guess, but I'm more curious how they treat parking and the arrangement of the buildings. The idea in the neighbourhood plan was around re-developing the streets in the Lansdowne area and reducing the sea of surface parking to create more of a lively community feel with storefronts and human-scale residential.

[RaginRonic]

Originally Posted by bingun

Address: 145 Lansdowne Avenue / Ref. 0 Harrington Street

PID: Portions of PIDs: 55236491, 00370973

Application Details: The Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) has received an application requesting a rezoning of the existing parking lots located behind the Subway Restaurant at 145 Lansdowne Avenue and at the border of Harrington Street and Sears Street. The proposal is to rezone the property from the General Commercial (CG) zone to the Mid-Rise Residential (RM) zone. The applicant is requesting this rezoning to develop three, new multi-unit residential buildings.

I think that that property not having a new Sobeys on the ground floor is a missed/squandered opportunity. The soon-to-be 71 year of age store next door needs replacement.

[cdnguys]

[bingun]

Originally Posted by RaginRonic

I think that that property not having a new Sobeys on the ground floor is a missed/squandered opportunity. The soon-to-be 71 year of age store next door needs replacement.

Wildly optimistic, but they could tear it down and build a new purpose-built FreshCo. Centre of the neighbourhood for decades to come!

[RaginRonic]

Originally Posted by bingun

Wildly optimistic, but they could tear it down and build a new purpose-built FreshCo. Centre of the neighbourhood for decades to come!

I dunno...I'd still like to see the Sobeys name continue to have it's presence in the North End, and not have that banner's name disappear there. In my mind, in much the same way I think a McDonald's would go great on Crown St. alongside the Shoppers Drug Mart there, FreshCo could be a good addition to either Haymarket Square in a new build, or maybe the whole 3rd level of Brunswick Square.

[cdnguys]

In Saint John, the geography is shaped by steep hills and a coastline full of coves and inlets along the river system and harbour. Neighbourhoods sit in pockets of flatter land between hills or wrap around small bays and shoreline edges, following the natural breaks in the terrain. That mix of elevation and water also means some of the most attractive homes in the province are found along those ridges and waterfront stretches overlooking the harbour and river.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Picture proof amalgamation or more meaningful regional revenue cooperation should happen, yesterday.

The Saint John CMA truly has some of the best coastal and river views in all of Canada… all of the residential property in this vast region should be under the same, regional tax umbrella.

[bingun]

I feel like this one came out of nowhere. I have never stayed at a Hyatt Studios, but it appears to be focused on longer stays.

https://www.hyatt.com/development/ourbrands/hyattstudios

Address: 615/631 Loch Lomond Road

PID: 00317248

Application Details:

The Planning Advisory Committee received an application requesting a rezoning of the vacant property at 615 Loch Lomond Road from the Mid-Rise Residential (RM) zone to the Business Park Commercial (CBP) zone. The applicant is requesting this rezoning in order to allow for the development of a new hotel.

The applicant has also asked for a variance to subdivide off the rear of the lot, not fronting a public street, to have it remain as residential.

PAC Meeting: Tuesday July 21, 2026

Public Hearing: August 17, 2026

[bingun]

Originally Posted by bingun

Address: 145 Lansdowne Avenue / Ref. 0 Harrington Street

PID: Portions of PIDs: 55236491, 00370973

Application Details: The Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) has received an application requesting a rezoning of the existing parking lots located behind the Subway Restaurant at 145 Lansdowne Avenue and at the border of Harrington Street and Sears Street. The proposal is to rezone the property from the General Commercial (CG) zone to the Mid-Rise Residential (RM) zone. The applicant is requesting this rezoning to develop three, new multi-unit residential buildings.

Additional detail has been added to this -

(2) four variances to: (a) reduce the minimum lot area requirement from 75 square metres/unit to 58.18 square metres/unit for an effective increase in density to allow 267 residential units where only 207 units would be permitted for a total increase of 28.99% in density; (b) increase the maximum building height of Building B from the allowed 21 metres (6 storeys) to 21.8 metres for a 3.81% increase in height; (c) reduce the side yard setback for Building A from the required 4 metres to 3.82 metres for a 4.5% decrease in the setback; and (d) reduce the side yard setback for Building B from the required 4 metres to 3.54 metres for a 11.5% decrease in the setback.

[cdnguys]

Hyatt long stay = confidence in the city.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by bingun

I feel like this one came out of nowhere. I have never stayed at a Hyatt Studios, but it appears to be focused on longer stays.

https://www.hyatt.com/development/ourbrands/hyattstudios

Address: 615/631 Loch Lomond Road

PID: 00317248

Application Details:

The Planning Advisory Committee received an application requesting a rezoning of the vacant property at 615 Loch Lomond Road from the Mid-Rise Residential (RM) zone to the Business Park Commercial (CBP) zone. The applicant is requesting this rezoning in order to allow for the development of a new hotel.

The applicant has also asked for a variance to subdivide off the rear of the lot, not fronting a public street, to have it remain as residential.

PAC Meeting: Tuesday July 21, 2026

Public Hearing: August 17, 2026

I looked it up, there is only two Hyatt Studio locations open with over 50 under development across Canada and USA. Currently there isn't any open in Canada yet, so this will be one of the 1st locations in the country.

[darkharbour]

The hotel proposal seems very clearly targeted at people coming to work at the Refinery or related industries. Which is good news, frees up bookings at more tourist-focused hotels.

[darkharbour]

Originally Posted by bingun

Additional detail has been added to this -

Nothing earth shattering, but looks good to me. Excited to see the ground break on this, will be a big project for the neighbourhood.

[bingun]

Originally Posted by darkharbour

The hotel proposal seems very clearly targeted at people coming to work at the Refinery or related industries. Which is good news, frees up bookings at more tourist-focused hotels.

I agree; it aligns with Saint John's industry and long-term maintenance periods. Plenty of grocery and restaurant options nearby for them too.

I thought we might see another hotel out east once the new rinks were getting closer to being built to better accommodate sports teams, etc. I am not sure this perfectly aligns with that, but it gives them another nearby option.

Also, notice the two plots on the corner aren't being leveraged for the hotel. I'd bet there is a good chance we'll see a restaurant there once the hotel is up. I'd suggest a gas station if there weren't two up the street.

[DyAm00394]

Originally Posted by bingun

Also, notice the two plots on the corner aren't being leveraged for the hotel. I'd bet there is a good chance we'll see a restaurant there once the hotel is up. I'd suggest a gas station if there weren't two up the street.

I agree that food service would make sense for there, those two plots are currently for lease. They've pitched two buildings, one is 9,000sf and the other 7,500sf.

https://www.bbrokers.ca/property/commerce-drive-saint-john-nb/