A development proposed by Ashford Living Lorentz Inc would create a pair of six-storey apartment buildings in the west end, with a combined 235 residential units.
Phase one includes 90 residential units on the corner of Lorentz Drive and Falkland Street.
The second phase is the larger of the two units, with a proposed 145 residential units and commercial space on the ground floor, located at Main Street and Lorentz Drive.
Both phases will provide exterior, at grade and underground parking.
These details were brought to Moncton City Council on Monday by Bill Budd, the Director of Planning and Development. The proposed lot must be rezoned to accommodate the two multiple-unit dwellings.
The current lots are occupied by a used car dealership and vegetation. The nearby properties include a hotel, a church, and two apartment buildings at heights of 6 and 9 storeys respectively.
As a result of the possible impact on the surrounding community, a traffic impact study was conducted on the area.
“It was determined that the proposal would not create an adverse effect on the current operation of the streets in the immediate and surrounding area,” says a report to council.
Moncton City Council voted unanimously to proceed with the first reading of the zoning amendment.
The development will be required to follow several precise conditions if it makes it to the construction phase. This includes that commercial activity be limited only to the building fronting Main Street and that the sidewalk be constructed prior to occupation of the Phase 1 building.
One proposed change to the rezoning process is to eliminate the timeline condition that developers have been subject to. The condition cancels the rezoning approval should a development permit not be obtained in a certain time frame.
Budd believes that no longer holding developers to this requirement would streamline the rezoning process.
“If for some reason the developer or property owner does not wish to proceed that is in fact the zoning that would remain on the lot. If they want to do something different they would come back to council to amend the proposal,” Budd told council.
The potential changes drew concerns from Councillor Bryan Butler and Deputy Mayor Charles Leger. Councillors feared that rezoning a property without the requirement to build could make it more valuable and cause individuals to flip their land for a profit.
Budd noted that there probably would be increased value to the properties, and the matter will be brought to the Planning Advisory Committee.
The PAC will submit written views on the development near the end of this month.
Monctonians will have their own opportunity to voice thoughts and concerns at a Public Hearing on August 16.
