
The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on April 7, 2026. The recap provides an overview of Council decisions. All related documents for the decisions outlined below and the full agenda from the meeting are available by clicking the button below.
Council Meeting Video, Agenda & Documents
Development applications are formal requests submitted to the City of St. John's by individuals, businesses, or developers seeking approval for projects that involve land use, building construction, or changes to property. These applications require council approvals and ensure that proposed developments comply with the City’s Envision St. John’s Development Regulations.
The following development applications were reviewed at the meeting:
Discretionary Use: 10 Sheffield Place |
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Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application at 10 Sheffield Place for a home occupation involving food preparation. The proposed use would occupy approximately 20.43 m², operate Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., include no on-site sales, and involve delivery by the owner only, with on-site parking available. The property is zoned Residential 1 (R1). Four public submissions were received expressing concerns about commercial activity in a residential area, potential impacts on property values, traffic, and neighbourhood character. Under the Development Regulations, home occupations are limited in size to preserve residential character, and the applicant advises that the operation will not generate additional traffic due to the absence of on-site sales and customers.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
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Extension to a Single Detached Dwelling in the Watershed: 86 Paradise Road (Town of Paradise) |
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Council was asked to consider approving an extension to a Single Detached Dwelling at 86 Paradise Road within the protected Broad Cove River Watershed, following a referral from the Town of Paradise. While the property is subject to the Watershed Agreement and the City of St. John’s Act, extensions to existing dwellings may be considered if they are necessary for household living space and do not exceed half the cubic content of the original dwelling. The existing dwelling has a cubic content of approximately 710 m³, and the proposed extension is 342 m³, which meets the legislative limit. The application was reviewed by the City Manager, who has no concerns with the proposal.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
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A planning application is a formal request to amend the Envision St. John's Municipal Plan and/or City’s Envision St. John’s Development Regulations. This would include applications to rezone or change the text in the Municipal Plan or Development Regulations. An amendment can be initiated by city staff, City Council, or a property owner.
Active applications can be viewed on the Planning St. John's webpage, which allows the public to learn more about planning applications, track progress, give feedback and ask questions and view upcoming public meetings all in one place.
The following planning applications were reviewed at the meeting:
Text Amendment: Section 6.20 Heavy Equipment |
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Council was asked to consider an amendment to the Envision St. John’s Development Regulations to reduce the required separation distance for Heavy Equipment Storage and Vehicle Storage Yards from 20 metres to 15 metres from residential zones. The amendment is prompted by an application for heavy equipment storage at 280 Back Line, Goulds, where the current separation requirement cannot be met due to the property’s limited width and adjacent residential zoning. Heavy Equipment Storage is a discretionary use on the site, and the proposed change would allow the application to be considered while maintaining compatibility with neighbouring residential uses. The amendment aligns with Municipal Plan policies on land-use compatibility and buffering. If Council proceeds, public notification is recommended, with the amendment and the related application advertised together.
Decision: 9 voted for, and Councillor Earle abstained due to a conflict of interest.
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Adoption: 746 Blackmarsh Road |
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Council was asked to adopt Envision St. John’s Municipal Plan Amendment No. 22, 2026 and Development Regulations Amendment No. 72, 2026 for lands at 746 Blackmarsh Road, and to proceed to a commissioner’s public hearing. The amendments would redesignate part of the provincially owned property from Urban Expansion to Residential and rezone it from Rural Residential (RR) to Apartment 1 (A1) to support a proposed 45‑unit affordable housing development. The amendments have been publicly advertised, reviewed, and released by the Province, with submissions received and summarized. A hybrid public hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 6, 2026, subject to submissions, after which the amendments will return to Council for final consideration.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
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Decision: Approved unanimously.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
Decision: 9 voted in favour, and Councillor Hickman voted against.
Council was notified that at the next Regular Meeting, a motion will be made to rescind the adoption of a recent development regulation amendment (Number 68, 2026) to update the section on public consultation, and accepting a staff report in place of a Land Use Report, with eleven councillors having voted in favor.
Council was asked to approve exterior renovations to 35 and 37 Temperance Street, municipally and provincially designated Heritage Buildings known as part of The Four Sisters. The work was completed in 2025 without a permit, resulting in a stop‑work order, and a subsequent application was submitted detailing the renovations. The completed exterior work included window replacement with matching style and size, slate roof repairs, trim repairs, eavestrough replacement, repainting of previously painted surfaces, and installation of downward‑facing pot lights. Staff have determined the alterations are minor in nature, comply with the Heritage Design Standards, and do not require review by the Built Heritage Experts Panel. The application is therefore recommended for approval.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
Council was asked to approve a Special Events and Festivals grant for 2026 National Indigenous Peoples Day, organized by First Light. The annual large‑scale outdoor event attracts over 500 participants and provides an inclusive space for cultural celebration and community connection. Although submitted after the deadline, the grant committee reviewed the application and recommends approval in the amount of $8,000.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
Council was provided with a list of Development Permits and Building Permits issued since the last council meeting for their information.
Council approved the weekly payment vouchers for the weeks ending March 25 and April 1.
The below proclamation took place at the meeting. All proclamations are also shared on our website.

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