Proposed bylaw changes could see rooming houses return to Fredericton
CBC
Rooming houses could soon be built in Fredericton again.
The city has proposed bylaw changes that would allow for single-room occupancies, otherwise known as rooming or boarding houses.
That type of housing isn't currently allowed under the city's zoning bylaws, but officials and councillors are hopeful it will help fill some of the gaps in available housing in the city.
"It's going to be a starting point," said Coun. Jason Lejeune, chair of the city's economic vitality committee. "If you're out in the development community or you're a property owner looking at doing something with a property, it's another option on the table."
Rooming houses were banned in the city in 1995. Those that do exist were grandfathered in. The inexpensive rentals have often carried the stigma of being rundown and not well cared for.
"The modern incarnation of the single-room occupancy unit and some of the built form regulations around it with modern building codes will take care of a lot of those issues," said Lejeune.
Under the amendments, a development could have six bedrooms, two bathrooms and one kitchen in a low density area, and up to 24 bedrooms with at least six bathrooms and three kitchens in a high density area.