City of Miramichi, New Brunswick - Community, Business & Tourism

City Council has embarked on the process to adopt a new Municipal Development Plan and Zoning By-Law for the City of Miramichi.

The contents of the proposed Municipal Plan were presented for the information of the public at an open Council meeting held January 16th. The deadline for written objections to the proposed Plan (aka “By-Law No. 90”) was February 15, 2012.

Interested parties may inspect the proposed By-Laws at the Office of the City Clerk in City Hall, 141 Henry Street, Miramichi, NB, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on business days.

A Public Hearing for the Plan and Zoning (aka “By-Law No. 91”) By-Laws will be held on March 19, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. and is required before Council can formally adopt the Plan and Zoning as a municipal by-laws. Objections to the proposed By-Laws, which are presented in writing, shall be considered at the public hearing. Anyone wishing to support or oppose those objections may do so at that time and place.

The Municipal Development Plan sets out the City Council's long-term policies and proposals to guide future land use and development within the Municipality.

The Plan is intended to be used by Council, City staff, the Miramichi Planning District Commission, developers and residents to guide day-to-day decisions affecting development.

The Municipal Plan will also guide major policy decisions with respect to capital expenditures and will form the basis of the Zoning By-law which is adopted to implement the Plan.

The Municipal Development Plan is organized into thirteen (13) sections and four (4) schedules as follows:

Section 1.0                Introduction & Plan Concept
Section 2.0                Administration & Implementation
Section 3.0                Overall Development Strategy
Section 4.0                Economic Development
Section 5.0                Municipal Services
Section 6.0                Transportation
Section 7.0                Environment
Section 8.0                Residential
Section 9.0                Commercial
Section 10.0              Industrial
Section 11.0              Community Facilities and Services
Section 12.0              Recreation, Greenspace and Conservation
Section 13.0              Rural

            Schedule A               Generalized Future Land Use Plan
            Schedule B               Commercial Hierarchy & Isolated Industrial Uses
            Schedule C               Road Hierarchy and Designations
Schedule D               5-Year Capital Works Budget (2011 to 2016)

The Zoning By-Law is used to protect existing uses from infringement by incompatible development and as a short-term tool to steer growth in the directions indicated in the Municipal Development Plan.

The Zoning By-Law divides the municipality into zones, prescribes the purposes for which land, buildings and structures in any zone may be used and prohibits the use of land, building and structures for any other purpose.

The Zoning By-Law is comprised of fourteen (14) sections and three (3) schedules as follows:

Section 1.0                Application and Administration
Section 2.0                Definitions
Section 3.0                General Provisions
Section 4.0                Driveway Access, Parking and Loading
Section 5.0                Signs
Section 6.0                Residential Zones
Section 7.0                Commercial Zones
Section 8.0                Industrial Zones
Section 9.0                Community Use and Recreation Zones
Section 10.0              Rural Zones
Section 11.0              Integrated Development Zones
Section 12.0              By-Laws Repealed
Section 13.0              Enactment
Section 14.0              Schedules
                                                Schedule 1               Metric – Imperial Conversion
                                                Schedule 2               Section 39 Agreements
                                                Schedule “A”                       Zoning Map