The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Fischbob]

Originally Posted by JHikka

I'm really interested to see how much land can be developed as this is a large area of the city that has yet to be utilized. Cambridge Estates, along with the new Baptist Church on Forbes Drive, is slowly eating away at all that empty land.

Huge swaths of northern SJ are underdeveloped considering their proximity to the Uptown core. I've always envisioned the Robertson Lake environs as a great place to put the core of a New Urbanist-style development (then again, I think that about a lot of places). The Millidge/Somerset intersection could be reconfigured, with an extended Somerset providing primary access to the area, tying in nicely with the proposed Campus-Harbour bike route. The topography here seems to be a little wild, but if they can build at Drury Cove, they can build here.

Other areas come with their own barriers to development. NIMBYs have dashed any hope of an intensified Sandy Point Road corridor. Most of the undeveloped land along Kennebecasis Drive is Irving-owned. Somerset is a former lime quarry. I often think of how great the land along Samuel Davis would be for development if only the Howe's Lake dump hadn't existed.

While we're on the subject, if anyone has 2x$400,000 kicking around and wants to be a developer, the Stanley Gardens land near Boars Head and Millidge, and the Thornbrough lands are for sale. Incredibly, Thornbrough appears to be approved for 346 residential units (picture below from the listing; no idea what year this would have gone through PAC).

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by phishy

Not sure what you need to check on. That property is to be removed from the Heritage Conservation Area. It is one of only 2 properties which was designated on Bentley as part of the Douglas Ave district. It should never have been designated in the first place, and the building has no heritage value, it has been destroyed by "improvements" over the years and is not recoverable. In this case removing the property (too far gone, on the edge of a district, shouldn't have been designated in the first place, etc) is the right thing to do. This does NOT open the door for anyone to be removed from the Conservation Area, it is a very specific and individual circumstance.

Ahh, understood. I wasn't sure if there was still a building on the property that was looking at being removed but was being held back by the Heritage Conservation Area, or something. Good to know, thanks. Bentley Street has actually seen a couple of buildings go up that we haven't even mentioned on here. One of them is used to office ReMax.

Re: Thornbrough Lands: That's a big sized area for 346 residential units! That is an area that could definitely used some densifying, particularly considering that, as you said, it is so central and nearby to the Uptown.

[CdnEh]

Originally Posted by JHikka

As well, King Mazda is looking at expanding their parking lot along Rockwood Avenue, off of Rothesay Avenue. None of the residents seem very pleased about this at all.

Really? Again?

When I purchased my car from them last year they were in the process of expanding their parking lot further back.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by CdnEh

Really? Again?

When I purchased my car from them last year they were in the process of expanding their parking lot further back.

Apparently. It's in the most recent Agenda from City Council:

https://www.documents.saintjohn.ca/weblink8/0/doc/53794/Electronic.aspx

pp.37-68

[CdnEh]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Apparently. It's in the most recent Agenda from City Council:

https://www.documents.saintjohn.ca/weblink8/0/doc/53794/Electronic.aspx

pp.37-68

Oh please. The residents of Rockwood Avenue can deal.

It was noted in the proposal that access to the parking lot would be prohibited from Rockwood avenue... how could this possibly effect the traffic patterns along that road?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by CdnEh

Oh please. The residents of Rockwood Avenue can deal.

It was noted in the proposal that access to the parking lot would be prohibited from Rockwood avenue... how could this possibly effect the traffic patterns along that road?

If you think the Rockwood Avenue write-ins were bad you should see the people that wrote in about the Bayside Drive Pits & Quarries zoning by-law amendment. Talk about angry!

Pretty sure those are in the same agenda (it should be the next part of the meeting, actually).

[flwright]

Originally Posted by Fischbob

Incredibly, Thornbrough appears to be approved for 346 residential units (picture below from the listing; no idea what year this would have gone through PAC).

Surprisingly, this came through PAC only ~2.5 years ago. Personally, I'm not too fond of the layout (lack of connectivity, cul-de-sacs, "clumping" of building types, etc.) and there was a fair amount of opposition from the neighbours at the time due to grades and privacy from the monstrous apartment buildings although it was ultimately approved.

[JHikka]

For what it's worth:

Originally Posted by CHSJ News

Increase In Tax Rate For 2013 Budget In Quispamsis

With the passing of the 2013 budget, the tax rate in Quispamsis has increased from $1.207 per $100 of assessment to $1.22, or in other words up about 1.3 cents.

Losing $241,727 in funding from the province had an impact on decision making, as well as having to contribute $10,326 to the new Regional Service Commission.

Quispamsis Mayor Murray Driscoll says despite the increase in tax rate, it's still one of the lowest rates in the province. He says they don't like increasing the rate, but they've had 4 years with a stable rate and the increase is to provide necessary services. Driscoll also notes despite the increase, $1.22 is still less than the $1.27 rate in 2008.

Over 1.3 million will be spent on improving road and sidewalks, including a sidewalk at Hampton Road and Quispamsis Road. Both police and fire (who are shared with Rothesay) seeing increases to their budgets. The police budget increasing 5% to 5.1 million, while fire sees an increase of 6.6% to 4.1 million which will include the hiring of 2 new full time fire fighters.

Sewer rates this year will increase by $8 to $376 per unit. Sewer rates for water meter customers won't be charged based on the water consumption cost anymore, but revert back to a flat rate of $376.

http://country94news.blogspot.ca/2013/01/increase-in-tax-rate-for-2013-budget-in.html

[Peter_johnns]

Does anyone think the city will move city hall?

[mylesmalley]

What's the issue with the location used currently?

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

What's the issue with the location used currently?

Space is leased - the city does it own building as many believe.
Montreal landlord. Class B space
Wonder number of years pay back if they build new?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

What's the issue with the location used currently?

Their leasing space right now from the same building that the Police just moved out of. The councillor that brought the motion forward stated that it may be cheaper for the city to use a city-owned building for City Hall rather than leasing. The first location suggested was the old law courts, which are now empty thanks to the new Fortress of Vengeance. The problem with that idea is that they would require either renovation or expansion, and that just equals $$$.

Personally i'm interested to see how it plays it, but I get the feeling that the public is offish of the idea because it's perceived that they want to build a new City Hall rather than utilizing an existing building, even if that isn't true. The recent development of Peel Plaza has put a real sour taste in people's mouths when it comes to municipal buildings and it would be in Council's best interest to avoid any discussion of building things for city employees for the foreseeable future.

[Peter_johnns]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Their leasing space right now from the same building that the Police just moved out of. The councillor that brought the motion forward stated that it may be cheaper for the city to use a city-owned building for City Hall rather than leasing. The first location suggested was the old law courts, which are now empty thanks to the new Fortress of Vengeance. The problem with that idea is that they would require either renovation or expansion, and that just equals $$$.

Personally i'm interested to see how it plays it, but I get the feeling that the public is offish of the idea because it's perceived that they want to build a new City Hall rather than utilizing an existing building, even if that isn't true. The recent development of Peel Plaza has put a real sour taste in people's mouths when it comes to municipal buildings and it would be in Council's best interest to avoid any discussion of building things for city employees for the foreseeable future.

Where they are now is SO central, pedway etc... They would lose out on that. But like I said earlier I would like to see Saint John do what many cities do with old buildings and simply build on top of it. Halifax is doing it on Barrington st.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Peter_johnns

Where they are now is SO central, pedway etc... They would lose out on that. But like I said earlier I would like to see Saint John do what many cities do with old buildings and simply build on top of it. Halifax is doing it on Barrington st.

I agree that their location is very central and the best possible spot, IMO. The only problem is the amount that they lease it for (i've forgotten the actual number now). Like I mentioned earlier, City Hall could be moved to the old courthouse, but it would probably cost more to improve and expand that than it would to stay at their current leased location. With that being said, I agree that building on top of older buildings is a recent trend (Barrington in Halifax as you mentioned, as well as the recent project in Montreal) and something that could definitely be done in Saint John. Unfortunately I think a project like that has to wait until the city is in a better economic situation, financially-speaking.

[mylesmalley]

Any idea how much floorspace the city takes up in the building? Moncton's city hall is 6 floors, but IIRC, at least a floor or two is rented out to other organizations. I wouldn't think it would be that hard to find space. If the city is really serious about taking it off the books, city hall could even be spread out over several buildings with vacant space, at least until a suitable replacement can be found.

[Peter_johnns]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Any idea how much floorspace the city takes up in the building? Moncton's city hall is 6 floors, but IIRC, at least a floor or two is rented out to other organizations. I wouldn't think it would be that hard to find space. If the city is really serious about taking it off the books, city hall could even be spread out over several buildings with vacant space, at least until a suitable replacement can be found.

I have been there a few times for work, seems to me the entire building is occupied by the City Of Saint John, and the building is about 16 stories

[CdnEh]

Saint John city councillor arrested by RCMP

Saint John city councillor Donnie Snook has been arrested by the RCMP.

Snook was arrested at his east side home on Martha Avenue on Wednesday, shortly after 5 p.m.

Several officers started searching the semi-detached white bungalow, which has a For Sale sign out front, shortly before 10 p.m.

Within a few minutes, they removed a laptop bag and other items.

No details have been released.

RCMP and Saint John Police Force officers at the scene declined to comment and officials could not immediately be reached.

But Mayor Mel Norton told CBC News Snook was taken in for questioning.

"I don’t know any of the details as to why," he said.

"We don't know any of the plans or intentions of police at this point."

Snook, who serves in Ward 3, is the director of the non-profit group Saint John Inner City Youth Ministry.

The mayor said he was advised of the arrest after the fact by Saint John Police Chief Bill Reid and Deputy Chief Bruce Connell.

"It's a surprise," Norton said. "Obviously, as I say, it's a very serious matter for him. Any time law enforcement takes you for questioning, that's a serious personal matter."

It's not yet clear what, if any impact Snook's arrest will have on council business, said Norton.

Council's next regularly-scheduled meeting isn't until Monday, he said.

"We've notified all the members of council of the information we have at this point, which is the information I've just outlined.

"Beyond that, we're just waiting to certainly hear how this develops."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunsw...nook-arrested-councillor-saint-john.html

[JHikka]

Dis gon b gud? Apparently he was picked up by the RCMP's Child Exploitation Unit. Hardly something to joke about. Lately Snook had been doing a few positive things within Council, including applying pressure for there to be more time and money devoted to clearing/removing/renovating derelict properties. More funds for such a project were just recently approved in the Budget.

[Peter_johnns]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Dis gon b gud? Apparently he was picked up by the RCMP's Child Exploitation Unit. Hardly something to joke about. Lately Snook had been doing a few positive things within Council, including applying pressure for there to be more time and money devoted to clearing/removing/renovating derelict properties. More funds for such a project were just recently approved in the Budget.

I agree. He was doing good things in council.

[CdnEh]

I was just thinking today, driving from the North end at 5:00...

Why are there so few eastbound ramps onto Route 1, especially from uptown?

Wouldn't an eastbound ramp from the Main Street viaduct effectively eliminate the Wall St/Paradise Row bottleneck?

It just seems like there are a disproportionate amount of westbound ramps vs. east, especially considering most of the population lives and travels east out of the uptown.