City Considers Policies For Green Energy Projects

Saint John is paving the way for more large-scale wind and solar energy projects in parts of the city.

Council gave first and second reading Monday to a series of municipal plan and zoning bylaw amendments.

They outline where large-scale green energy projects could be built and propose a new land-use zone called “green energy”.

“It’s a very exciting time to be in Saint John,” said Mayor Don Darling during Monday’s meeting.

The proposed amendments are in response to Saint John Energy’s application to build a $60-million wind farm in Lorneville.

Develop Saint John, which is working with the utility on its application, commissioned a private study through Dillon Consulting to recommend a policy and zoning approach which could be considered by staff.

Under the proposal, green energy projects could be built on land zoned rural resource, parks and natural areas, and on limited heavy industrial land off King William Road.

They would have to meet specific standards, including mandatory setbacks from nearby homes, height and spacing of structures, and site security.

But the city’s planning advisory committee (PAC) raised several concerns about the solar energy component and suggested it be tabled so staff could have more time to develop it.

Eric Falkjar, the PAC chairman, said their main concern is commercial landowners will not be able to pursue their own solar projects.

“Shopping malls have this vast space,” said Falkjar. “There’s no sunlight blocking them in most cases, they have the ability to start up a commercial enterprise.”

But Ken Melanson, the community planning manager, said the proposed changes will not prevent commercial landowners from installing rooftop solar panels.

The city also received more than 20 letters from the public, with many concerned about the potential impacts of green energy projects in parks and natural areas.

City staff later revised the proposed changes to prohibit green energy development in municipally-owned parks, including Rockwood Park.

Coun. David Hickey said transitioning to green energy is crucial in the battle against climate change.

“I think this puts us one step closer,” said Hickey. “I don’t think we’re there yet in the battle on climate change, obviously, but this puts us one step closer and this is a really big step.”

The proposed changes will still need to go through third and final reading at council.