IN BRIEF: Bylaws introduced for business associations

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Keeping with annual tradition, Miramichi city council has introduced bylaws to set up business improvement areas for the city’s two downtowns and approve the association’s proposed 2024 budgets.

Council unanimously passed the first readings of the bylaws establishing the Newcastle Business District and Historic Chatham Business District and setting their property tax levies and budgets for next year.

In a report presented to council, city clerk Rhonda Ripley said the province’s Business Improvement Areas Act requires a budget of projected expenses for every calendar year to be submitted to council. The legislation also caps levies on non-residential properties in the downtowns at 20 cents per $100 of assessed value. Both downtown associations in Miramichi charge the maximum rate.

The Newcastle district’s proposed budget for 2024 is $79,000. The Historic Chatham district’s proposed 2024 budget includes $88,398 in revenue and $88,320 in expenses, leaving a $78 surplus.

Housing project rezoning passes first reading

Council unanimously passed the first reading of a rezoning from medium-density B residential (R-4) to single or two-unit dwelling (R-2) requested by Habitat for Humanity Fredericton for the vacant lots at 2114 and 2118 Water St., in the former town of Chatham.

The proposed rezoning will make way for the lots to be combined and subdivided, so four semi-detached housing units can be developed on the site – which was transferred to Habitat for Humanity by the city in 2021. Each unit will be two storeys and include three bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living area, and a basement.

The Greater Miramichi Regional Service Commission’s planning review and adjustment committee recommended council proceed with the rezoning at its Sept. 15 meeting. The committee also approved a one-year temporary use application for the project, which isn’t allowed under the current R-4 zoning.

A public hearing on the rezoning is scheduled for Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. at Miramichi City Hall. Written objections to the rezoning will be accepted by the City Clerk’s Department until that day. Residents will only be allowed to speak at the hearing if submissions are received.

Sidewalk work planned

Work is expected to begin Thursday on replacing the sidewalk along King George Highway, between the Northumberland Square entrance and the traffic lights by Bridgeview Plaza.

“Work is expected to last approximately a week,” the city said Wednesday in a news release. “During this time, lane reductions will be required in order to complete the work. Motorists are asked to drive with caution as we strive to complete this work in a timely manner.”

Construction is also underway on installing a sidewalk along Percy Kelly Drive in Douglastown, between King George and Gretna Green Drive, and on an overhaul of Philip Street in Newcastle, between Sweeney Lane and Millar Avenue.

In addition, work has begun on paving the trail through England’s Hollow Park toward Wellington Street and the Chatham Waterfront Trail, from the Rodd Miramichi River Hotel to the former Chatham Generating Station site.