Fredericton council unanimously approved the south core plan on Tuesday evening, aiming to double the downtown area’s population by significantly increasing density. The plan, which was first presented in early September, outlined updated zoning plans for the Town Plat area.
Mayor Kate Rogers was absent during the vote, but three councillors expressed support for the plan at the meeting led by Deputy Mayor Jocelyn Pike. Coun. Cassandra LeBlanc, representing the ward covering a significant portion of the discussed area, praised the plan for preserving neighborhood character while addressing the need for growth.
The plan proposes limiting building height in existing neighborhoods and promoting dense development along major corridor streets like Smythe, York, Regent, Dundonald, and Beaverbrook. Rezoning would be required for larger buildings, potentially reaching 12 or 15 stories in some areas.
LeBlanc emphasized the importance of community engagement in the rezoning process and advocated for more affordable housing initiatives beyond the plan’s current requirement of 20% of units on publicly owned land. Coun. Jason LeJeune and Coun. Steven Hicks also voiced their support, highlighting the plan’s progressive and beneficial aspects for downtown businesses.
According to a 300-page document submitted by senior planner Frederick Van Rooyen in September, the plan envisions conserving established neighborhoods while focusing on developing high-density residential spaces in key brownfield industrial sites. The document anticipates the need for 3,200 new housing units to accommodate approximately 6,000 additional residents, doubling the current population in the area.
LeJeune described the planning process as the most comprehensive he had witnessed as a councillor, foreseeing positive outcomes for the city’s future. However, he noted that the pace of development would depend on property owners and developers, emphasizing that significant changes would take time to materialize rather than occurring immediately.