A youth care home in northwest Moncton is one step closer to reality.
Council voted Monday night to introduce the rezoning on Acorn Court.
The application from Mel Kennah was made on behalf of Youth Impact Jeunesse Inc.
The home is located north of Rennick Road, near Evergreen School, but is currently zoned R2, which is a two-unit dwelling.
The request is to have it rezoned to R3, as a multi-unit dwelling to accommodate up to four youth in a residential care facility.
It would provide an eight-week youth stabilization program for youth between the ages of 12 and 18, who are currently living with a foster family or adopted family, but who may be going through a tough time.
According to the proposal, four staff will be on-site during the day from 8:00 am to 12:00 am, and another two staff will be on-site from 12:00 am to 8:00 am, but no staff will live in the home.
As a part of the program, the youth will continue to attend school, and there is little unsupervised time outside the home.
The stabilization program had been in operation at another location in the city for several years, but had to be moved in spring 2025.
Three Councillors voted against the introduction, including Bryan Butler, who felt people shouldn’t purchase properties and then expect they can just come to council and get them rezoned.
“It bothers me when people buy things and expect that they are just going to come to council and automatically get things rezoned. For that reason, I won’t be voting in favour of this. This is a really good idea, and it’s not about not in my backyard, but when you have a house that is too big, and you’re told beforehand that it’s not zoned that way, and they still purchase it, I won’t be supporting it.”
Councillor Dave Steeves, who also voted against the rezoning, says they have already received numerous objections to this from residents, “Other care homes in the area have had issues, and residents may be concerned that similar issues may occur at the subject property.”
Councillor Marty Kingston was the third Councillor to oppose the rezoning.
Councillor Charles Leger spoke to his experience as someone who has lived beside a group home for many years, “I don’t think the fact that people are frightened or know different stories, there are good neighbours and bad neighbours, and what I know of Youth Quest and their existing facilities has been certainly a good addition to neighbourhoods.”
The proposed rezoning will now go to the planning advisory committee, before a public hearing to be held on September 15th at 4 pm in Moncton City Council Chambers.
