Moncton may welcome 1,000 new homes

August 25, 2022


Rendering of new Moncton homes by ELCE Developments Inc. | Submitted

City councillors in Moncton, New Brunswick—one of the most affordable housing markets in Canada—have provided tentative approval for two large subdivisions that could deliver more than 1,000 new homes.
Two votes were taken on plans from separate developers that envisioned about 1,000 new housing units and a private school near a local nature park. Neither vote granted final approval for the projects but offered a sign councillors may grant approval in the future.
Staff recommended denying both plans, saying they violate the municipal plan and a community emissions reduction plan adopted by council in July 2022.
The proposals include one from ELCE Developments Inc. that calls for a mixed-use development called Eastgate Village with 956 residential units, a private school, daycare and a market. It's proposed on 144.6 acres of mostly forested land.
A separate plan calls for an unspecified number of houses on 39 acres on the east side of Elmwood near Castleton Drive.
Both proposals require the city to expand its urban boundary—an area inside municipal limits serviced by water and sewer lines. Areas outside cannot connect to city water and sewer systems. The boundary set in the municipal plan is meant to discourage sprawl
But Councillor Shawn Crossman, said the city has spent decades hoping for development in an area called Vision Lands and not enough effort in areas outside the Trans-Canada Highway that encircles the city.
Vision Lands covers about 1,400 acres of largely undeveloped property in the north end of Moncton. Moncton-based Cordova Realty owns about 140 acres in that area and has plans for multi-family development.