Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Advisory Committee and the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission

The Town of Saint Andrews has contracted planning and building inspection services with the Southwest New Brunswick Service Commission. This service will continue and be offered to the Wards of Bayside and Chamcook. Under the planning process, the Wards of Bayside and Chamcook will also be regulated by the Planning Advisory Committee of the Town of Saint Andrews.

The Planning Advisory Committee consists of volunteer members from the community, governed under the Community Planning Act and Town By-Laws, that act as an independent body to give views to Council on

  • Proposed By-Laws or on any change to a proposed By-Law after it has been given First Reading.
  • Prohibit the erection of any building or structure on any site where it would be otherwise be permitted when, in its opinion, the site is marshy, subject to flooding, excessively steep or otherwise unsuitable by virtue of its soil or topography.
  • Permit or prohibit development for a temporary period not exceeding 1 year or for an additional temporary period not exceeding 1 year.
  • Impose terms and conditions for a particular purpose if the purpose is so identified within the Zoning By-Law.
  • Permit, subject to possible terms and conditions, a reasonable variance from the requirements of the Zoning By-Law relating to topics specified within the Community Planning Act.
  • Extend the normal discontinuance period of 10 months for consideration of non-conforming use.
  • Permit a structure to be repaired or restored if the property has non-conforming rights and is destroyed greater than 50%.
  • Provide consent for a non-conforming use to extend into a portion of a structure constructed by the By-Law come into effect.
  • Provide consent for non-conforming use to be changed to similar non-conforming use.
  • If given the authority to do so, within the Subdivision By-Law, approve such access to a proposed subdivision, other than by way of a public street, that is considered advisable for the development of the land.
  • If given the authority to do so, within the Subdivision By-Law, the Development Officer shall not approve a Subdivision Plan if, in the Officer's and PAC's Opinion
    • The land is not suited to be the purpose for which it is intended or may not reasonably be expected to be used for that purpose within a reasonable time after the Subdivision Plan is approved or
    • The proposed manner of the subdividing will prejudice the possibility of further subdividing the land or the convenient subdividing of adjoining land.
  • If given the authority to do so within the Subdivision By-Law, approve the naming of streets in subdivisions.
  • Permit a reasonable variance, subject to possible terms and conditions from the requirements of the Subdivision By-Law on obtaining the opinion of neighbours to proposed variances.

Upon completion of the Local Governance Reform, members of the Wards of Bayside and Chamcook will have an opportunity to sit on the Planning Advisory Committee. More information will come on the processes and how to apply.

Who can I contact for more information on Local Governance Reform?

Residents of Bayside, Chamcook, and Saint Andrews can contact Town Hall for the Town of Saint Andrews at 506 529-5120 or by email to speak to:

 

What is the name of the new Entity?

All 78 of the new municipalities will be created by regulation and therefore must specify a name. As was the case with municipal type, the Transition Committee has chosen to maintain the name "Town of Saint Andrews".

Living in the LSD of Bayside or Chamcook, will I have to pay the same tax rate as the former municipality? (i.e., Saint Andrews)

With the restructuring of existing local governance entities, local governments, and rural districts will maintain different tax rates in different areas to reflect the level of service being provided. The need to maintain differential tax rates, as well as the phase-in of impacts will be addressed in each individual regulation as the newly formed entities are created under the Local Governance Act. The differential tax rate will allow municipalities to charge citizens for the services they receive and recognizes that all citizens do not receive identical services. Local governments will have additional flexibility in determining variable tax rates.

Will there be a general election for new Councillors?

The Town of Saint Andrews, LSD Bayside and LSD Chamcook will go to a by-election in November of 2022. Bayside and Chamcook will become Wards with the representation of 3 new Councillors. Chamcook will have 2 Council representatives and Bayside 1 Council representative based on population. The new Council will be comprised of 9 Councillors and 1 Mayor. The citizens of Chamcook and Bayside will vote on their representatives. As this is a by-election, the Council of Saint Andrews will remain the same. After the election, all Councillors will have to be sworn in to represent the new community.

When does the Local Governance Reform take place?

We are currently in the process of moving through the Local Governance Reform process with the transition facilitator and advisory committees. The new community will take effect on January 1, 2023. A brief timeline of the process is as follows:

November - December 2021

  • Publish our white paper, "Working together for vibrant and sustainable communities"
  • Introduce Bill 82: An Act Respecting Local Governance Reform
  • End timeframe for suggesting changes to local governance restructuring (adjustments)
  • An Act Respecting Local Governance Reform adopted and given Royal Assent
  • End extended timeframe for suggesting changes to local governance restructuring
  • Announce Local Governance Reform and Toponymy advisors

January - March 2022

  • Orientation for transition facilitators
  • Form transition advisory committees for each entity
  • Determine electoral structure (wards, at large or hybrid, and number of wards)
  • Submit final entity outer boundaries to Elections New Brunswick
  • Submit final ward boundaries to Elections New Brunswick

April - September 2022

  • Sub-unit structure (taxation areas) provided to Service New Brunswick
  • Set finalized entities in regulation
  • Confirm appointment of Municipal Chief Administrative Officers for new entities
  • Provide detailed guidelines for each new mandate/service for Regional Service Commissions
  • Strategy requirements, weighted voting and cost- sharing formula for Regional Service Commissions
  • Confirm service delivery model for new mandate/services for Regional Service Commissions
  • Confirm Chief Executive Officers in all 12 Regional Service Commissions

October - December 2022

  • Finalize 2023 Regional Service Commission budgets
  • Elect new councils in entities requiring elections

January 2023

  • Restructured local governments and rural districts in place

July 2023

  • Establishment of regional strategy including priorities and actions for all Regional Service Commissions

January 2024

  • Establishment of regional approach to social mandate for vulnerable populations settling in larger urban centres (Southeast, Fundy, and Capital regions)

What is Local Governance Reform really about?

In very general terms, local governance reform is the process of changing what we have into what we need. This process involves understanding the issues and challenges facing our local governance system and how they relate to one another, considering options to address the issues, and implementing changes that will make a positive difference. The exact nature of the changes has yet to be defined.

We had to ask ourselves: are we organized locally and regionally in a way that best serves the needs and interests of all of us as New Brunswickers and the communities we live in?

We needed to find ways to strengthen our local governance system and make it sustainable, while continuing to improve our quality of life.

The time for study is over; the status quo is no longer serving the needs of many New Brunswickers. After extensive engagement with New Brunswickers, we now have a plan to bring the required reforms.

What is a Local Service District and Rural District?

Local Service DistrictA local service district (LSD):

is a structure that allows for the administration and delivery of local services such as streetlights, recreation, garbage collection, and fire protection, etc. to areas of the province that are not incorporated (i.e., do not have a mayor and councillors). These services are coordinated by the provincial government through the Department of Environment and Local Government. (LSD)

Rural District (RD):

With reform, we will introduce a new type of entity: a rural district.

The rural districts will replace the former local service districts. Rural districts will be made up of the local service districts, or parts of those, that have not joined a local government in the restructuring. We will establish elected advisory committees in the newly formed rural districts, whose members will be elected as part of municipal elections.

What is Local Governance Reform?

A local government is an incorporated entity that provides services and makes decisions on local matters for a defined geographic community. Each local government has a council comprised of a mayor and councillors who are elected through a general municipal election every four years.