Council Passes New Zoning, Heritage Fees

Saint John council has given final approval to several new and increased zoning and heritage conservation area fees.

The zoning bylaw changes include increases for development permits, zoning bylaw amendments, and temporary approvals.

Fee increases for heritage conservation areas will include a doubling of the cost for heritage demolition permits to $2,000 and a $1,000 research fee to request for designation removal.

The changes, which were were identified under last year’s financial sustainability report, are expected to generate an extra $17,000 in revenue for the city each year.

City staff have said the fee adjustments were chosen for several factors, including cost-recovery and to maintain competitiveness with other New Brunswick municipalities.

Council also gave third reading Monday to a bylaw amendment allowing for a three-storey addition to the old Saint John County Courthouse.

This will allow the Saint John Theatre Company to turn the site into a performance venue and community space.