The exterior of Saint John City Hall is pictured in this file photo. (Staff photo)
Saint John council has loosened zoning restrictions that previously prevented places of worship from operating in commercial districts.
The change came after city staff received a permit to convert a commercial space on Fairville Boulevard into a mosque and community centre.
Andy Reid is a planner with the city. He says the bylaw changes are ‘common sense’ modifications.
“As the city welcomes more newcomers, more diversity to places of worship, having more areas where they can locate is beneficial,” he said.
Despite the change, Reid doesn’t believe this is the beginning of a trend that would see an influx of permits for places of worship to be built throughout the city.
He cited Statistics Canada numbers which showed that though religious participation is down, the amount of variety in religious organizations and denominations has increased.
“There’s probably not a big trend for more places of worship to locate due to the decline,” Reid said. “But different types (of places of worship) may very well start to locate.”
