People enjoy a summer day at Rockwood Park in Saint John. City council approved a special study on Monday that could open the door to development around the large urban park. (CBC/Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon)

Saint John council is launching a special planning study that could open the door to development near Rockwood Park.

Council passed a three-year moratorium on development near the massive city park in June after neighbours raised objections about two proposed development ideas that they believe infringe on the park.

Coun. Gary Sullivan raised the idea of the special planning study for the Sandy Point Road area and he said its results could solve many problems. Council approved the study on Monday night.

"We don't want to sell land and rezone for something that looks good to make the quick buck now but isn't appropriate for the area," he said.

"So what this process is doing, we're taking charge to make sure that we can have respectful appropriate development in that area."

The councillor said the study will clear up exactly where the boundaries of Rockwood Park are and determine the best use for city-owned land outside those boundaries.

The land on the Sandy Point Road area where a developer is seeking to build a townhouse complex is owned by the city. Saint John acquired the land in 1967.

Rockwood Park is considered Canada's largest urban green space with 890 hectares of wetlands and forest.

Moratorium could be lifted by February

The moratorium on development was to have lasted two to three years until a new municipal plan is unveiled. Instead, it could be lifted when the new study is completed as early as this February.

The idea of constructing new residential properties so close to the park is a contentious issue. Some people living in the area believe the land earmarked for development is part of the park.

Saint John Mayor Ivan Court admitted there is a lot of confusion surrounding where exactly the park starts.

"What's happened now is there's not a clear distinction of where the park starts and where it ends," he said.

Court is among those who believe the land in question is outside park boundaries.

Coun. Peter McGuire opposed the moratorium when it was raised at council in June. He said he hopes the planning study will get residential projects back on track.

"If this gets us closer to possibly moving past this moratorium and letting folks develop on city-owned land, I'll support this," he said.