City Council Meeting Recap: August 26, 2025
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The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on August 26, 2025, which 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
Farewell to Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary
Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary took part in her final Council meeting, marking the end of more than 14 years of dedicated service to the residents of St. John’s.
Throughout her time on Council, Sheilagh has been a passionate advocate for our city, bringing creativity, compassion, and commitment to every role she held. Her leadership and voice have left a lasting impact on our community.
On behalf of Council, City staff, and residents, we extend our sincere gratitude to Deputy Mayor O’Leary for her years of service and wish her every success in the future.
You can check out Deputy Mayor O'Leary's resignation speech and comments from council in the live stream.
Development Applications:
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:
Request for Residential Fence in Floodplain Buffer: 236 Green Acre Drive |
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Council was asked to approve an application for a residential fence at 236 Green Acre Drive, which falls within the floodplain buffer. Under the Development Regulations, Council may permit fences in this area without requiring referral to the Environmental and Sustainability Experts Panel.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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Request for Parking Relief: 78 and 80 Tigress Street |
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Council was asked to approve parking relief for one space each at 78 and 80 Tigress Street to allow two subsidiary dwelling units per lot. The applicants propose two driveways per property with an additional stacked parking space, and nearby transit access supports the request. A staff report is provided in place of a full Parking Report.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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Request for Parking Relief: 465 East White Hills Road |
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Council was asked to approve relief of seven parking spaces for the warehouse at 465 East White Hills Road. Although regulations require 98 spaces based on floor area, the applicant states fewer are needed to meet actual business demand. A staff report is provided in place of a full Parking Report.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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Discretionary Use: 430 Topsail Road |
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Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application from Jelly Bean Entertainment to operate a kids-focused Place of Amusement at 430 Topsail Road. The 239.8 m² facility would run daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with on-site parking. Two public submissions raised concerns about noise, traffic, and proximity to housing, but as the use is within an existing mall, noise and parking impacts are expected to be minimal.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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Discretionary Use: 50 Pippy Place |
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Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application from ECC Solutions & Maintenance Inc. to operate a 243.4 m² retail store for new and used items at 50 Pippy Place. The business would operate daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with on-site parking. No public submissions were received.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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Request for Parking Relief: 26 Ross Road |
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Council was asked to approve parking relief for one space at 26 Ross Road to allow a Backyard Suite under the Housing Accelerator Fund program. The property already has driveways serving three units, and nearby transit and amenities support the request. A staff report is provided instead of a full Parking Report.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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Request for Parking Relief: 41 Gambier Street |
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Council was asked to approve parking relief for one space at 41 Gambier Street to allow a second subsidiary dwelling unit. The property will have two driveways with an additional stacked parking space, and nearby transit options support the request. A staff report is provided instead of a full Parking Report. Decision: Approved unanimously
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Building Line Setback: 54 Welland Street |
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Council was asked to approve a reduced building line setback of 4.05 metres for a new dwelling at 54 Welland Street. While the R3 Zone requires 4.5 metres, setbacks on the street vary, and the proposal allows space for landscaping and snow storage.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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Request for Parking Relief: 54 Welland Street |
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Council was asked to approve a reduced building line setback of 4.05 metres for a new dwelling at 54 Welland Street. Although the R3 Zone requires 4.5 metres, neighbouring properties have varying setbacks, and the proposed line allows for landscaping and snow storage.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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Planning Applications and Information:
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:
Amendment Adoption: 222 LeMarchant Road |
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Council was asked to adopt Development Regulations Amendment 64, 2025, to allow ground-floor dwelling units in the Commercial Office Hotel (COH) Zone at 222 LeMarchant Road. The proposal would convert the existing Extended Stay St. John’s hotel into 99 residential rental units (96 studios, 3 one-bedrooms) without altering the building’s height or footprint. The amendment aligns with municipal policies supporting diverse housing forms and affordable housing. Public consultation generated some opposition, mainly concerning safety, density, and potential uses, though the proposal meets zoning and planning objectives. If adopted, the amendment will be submitted to the NL Department of Municipal Affairs for registration.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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Text Amendment: Landscaping and Driveway Requirements for Small Apartment Buildings |
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Council was asked to consider a text amendment to the Envision St. John’s Development Regulations to modify landscaping requirements and allow driveways for small Apartment Buildings with six or fewer units in Residential Zones. The amendment aims to reduce barriers for medium-density residential development by applying residential, rather than commercial, landscaping standards, and clarifies front yard landscaping, driveway, and bicycle parking requirements. No new uses are introduced, and front yard standards for other residential types remain unchanged. Public notification is recommended, but a public meeting is not required.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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Traffic Impact Study - Mount Cashel Road
Council voted to revise the Terms of Reference of the Land Use Report for the proposed KMK development on Mount Cashel Road to include a comprehensive traffic impact study to include at a minimum:
- Analysis of current and projected traffic volumes on Mount Cashel Road and surrounding streets;
- Assessment of cumulative impacts of nearby facilities, schools, religious institutions, and residential developments;
- Evaluation of intersection performance, pedestrian crossings, shortcutting patterns, and potential safety concerns;
- Consideration of traffic calming measures and mitigation strategies where appropriate; and
- Public engagement with residents and stakeholders regarding traffic and safety concerns.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Sale of City Land
- Adjacent to 22 Monroe Street: Council approved the sale of a 598 ft² parcel of City land adjacent to 22 Monroe Street, previously part of Trunk Lane Road. The current owner has used it for parking, and staff noted no objections, while ensuring public turnaround and pedestrian access are maintained. The sale price is approximately $11,960 plus HST, and the purchaser must consolidate the land with her existing property.
- Rear of 47-51 Wexford Street: Council approved the sale of approximately 2,084 ft² of City land at the rear of 51 Wexford Street, with the option to sell adjacent rear parcels of 47 and 49 Wexford to even out property boundaries. The land is zoned open space and subject to an existing NL Power easement. The purchase price is $1 per ft² plus HST and fees, and the purchaser must consolidate the land with their property.
Wall Sign: 4 Holdsworth Street
Council was asked to approve a wall sign for “The Jungle Bar & Eatery” at 4 Holdsworth Street in Heritage Area 2. The proposed LED-lit sign exceeds the standard size limit (5.7 m² vs. 3 m²) but is not on a designated Heritage Building. The Built Heritage Experts Panel recommended approval with adjusted positioning, and staff support this recommendation.
Decision: Approved unanimously, provided the sign be positioned centrally between the three existing windows.
Special Events Regulatory Committee
Council was asked to approve road closures and noise by-law extensions for several upcoming events:
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George Street Association Back to School Bash (Aug 31): Noise by-law extension to 12 a.m.
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Uniformed Services Run/Provincial Marathon (Sept 7): Multiple road closures along the race route from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. to ensure runner safety.
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Howley Avenue Extension Block Party (Sept 7): Road closure from 4 to 9 p.m. with volunteer oversight; local and emergency access maintained.
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Terry Fox Run (Sept 14): Closures on Clancey Drive and Lakeview Avenue from 9 to 11 a.m.
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Gower Street Churches Block Party (Sept 14): Closure from Cathedral Street to Church Hill from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with volunteers managing barricades.
All closures aim to support event safety while maintaining necessary access where possible.
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Tenders
A list of contracts awarded from July 23 to August 20 was shared for Council’s information.
Permits Issued
Council was provided with a list of Development Permits and Building Permits issued since the last council meeting for their information.
Weekly Payment Vouchers
Council approved the weekly payment vouchers for the weeks ending August 13 and August 20.
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