Proposed 30-Unit Development On Millidge Avenue

A mid-rise residential unit development has been proposed for 461 Millidge Avenue in Saint John.

The rezoning application for the development went through the first and second reading at Common Council on Monday.

The application is from John Fifield, who is seeking to rezone the existing property from One Unit Residential (R1) to Mid-Rise Residential (RM).

Fifield is looking to develop a 30-unit mid-rise residential building with two-bedroom units. It would have 30 underground parking spaces and roughly 24 overflow parking spots.

“When designing it, we found that it’s not uptown or not within walking distance, so typically anybody who is going to visit you is probably going to drive, so we didn’t go one for one, one apartment for an extra outside spot, but we went as close as we could,” said Fifield.

During the discussion, fire routes were brought up as the proposed development is next door to commercial property, which Fifield owns.

He mentioned the proposed development’s main entrance and exit is from Millidge Avenue, which will have a fire lane and pedestrian connections.

“It’s an addition to the entrance that would be able to be used for the buildings, so it’s not either-or, it’s one easier way for them to get in, whether the fire department would go in the regular route,” said Fifield.

“Or maybe they would want to bring in additional trucks in the other route, one would suffice, but we’re having two.”

City staff and the Planning Advisory Committee have recommended that the rezoning be approved. Council will consider the third reading at a later date.