Fredericton invites citizens to weigh-in on new bylaw

The City of Fredericton is inviting citizens to have their say on the municipality's new zoning bylaw.

Issuesto be discussedinclude having backyard chickens, home businesses and in-law suites.

The city is inviting people tovisit the Zoning Bylaw Review websiteto read background information on each zoning topic.

Paper and phone surveys are also available.

Mayor-elect Brad Woodside said public consultation of is important for the city's future plans.

"This public consultation phase of the zoning bylaw review is meant to reach as many people as possible, whether they are at home or work," Woodside said in the release.

"The areas being explored are either not covered in the current zoning bylaw or need to be expanded upon in todays context. I encourage everyone to participate."

The topicsbeing discussed

• Backyard Chickens: Fredericton has had two pilot projects running for the past year, with no complaints or concerns received. The city said this is a way for people living in urban centres to produce food in their own back yards by keeping a maximum of three egg-laying hens.
• Home Businesses: The city defines home businesses as small-scale commercial activities that are compatible with residential uses.
• In-law or Granny Suites: These are dwellings that are either attached (In-law or Granny Suite) or detached from the main house (Garden Suite). They are smaller dwellings usually inhabited by an older relative. Currently, a zone amendment is required to allow a suite, with the condition that the suite be converted back to the main house or removed from the property once the relative no longer lives in it.

According to a citypress release, there will be two more rounds of consultations on topics in the bylaw continuing until the end of June.

The second phase of the public consultation will include discussions about higher density developments, infill developments, mixed income housing, mixed use developments and how to keep urban sprawl in-check.

The third phase of the public consultation will include discussions about assisted living and nursing homes, building design, building height and using landscaping as a buffer in urban areas.