City Council Meeting Recap: December 15, 2025
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The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on December 15, 2025, the final meeting for 2025. 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
Budget 2026
Details of Budget 2026 were announced at the Council Meeting. To maintain programs and services and address growing operating and capital costs, the City of St. John’s 2026 budget is balanced at $365,997,790, reflecting a 4.8% increase over 2025.
The residential mill rate will remain at 9.1 and the commercial mill rate will remain at 29.5. Water tax will marginally increase by $10 per unit annually for residential properties and 1.4% for commercial. All revenue from the water tax directly funds the provision of the service.
Learn more by watching the Budget speech and Councillors' comments or by reading the 2026 Budget Book.
Decision: 10 approved, Councillor Davis voted against.
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 Parking Relief - 16 Hoyles Avenue |
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Council reviewed a request to relieve one parking space for a subsidiary dwelling unit. The decision supports the redevelopment of the property, which involves demolishing half of the existing semi-detached dwelling and rebuilding it as a single detached dwelling with two subsidiary dwelling units. While three parking spaces are typically required, the property will provide two. Council accepted the rationale for parking relief based on limited anticipated vehicle ownership, proximity to multiple bus routes, and walkable access to nearby amenities, and determined that a formal parking report was not required.
Decision: approved unanimously.
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Discretionary Use - 175 Higgins Line |
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Council reviewed a Discretionary Use application by HL General Partner Inc. to convert existing hotel rooms on the first storey of the building into 15 dwelling units. The property is zoned Commercial Office Hotel, with on-site parking located in a Residential 1 zone. Council considered public submissions related to traffic, tenant type, property values, and potential neighbourhood impacts, and noted that the proposed units are market-rate micro units and not intended for transitional or affordable housing. City staff advised there are no anticipated traffic concerns, as trip generation for the proposed residential use is comparable to the existing hotel use.
Decision: approved unanimously
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Request for Variance on Backyard Suite Height - 125 Penney Crescent (1 Honeygold Place) |
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Council reviewed a request for an 8% variance on the allowable height of a Backyard Suite. The Backyard Suite, previously approved under the Housing Accelerator Fund, exceeded the height permitted under the Development Regulations following construction. While Backyard Suites are a permitted use in the Residential 1 zone, the approved height was greater than the height of the main dwelling. Council considered the variance request under the Development Regulations, noted that the cumulative variance remained within the allowable 10%, and reviewed concerns raised by adjacent property owners regarding height, property impacts, and notification. Council discussed reviewing delivery method for notices in the new year.
Decision: 10 approved, with Councillor Bruce voting against
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Change of Non-Conforming Use - 233 Empire Avenue |
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Council reviewed a Change of Non-Conforming Use application by 77193 Newfoundland and Labrador Inc. to convert the existing takeout use to a medical clinic with an ancillary pharmacy. The clinic and pharmacy will operate with limited hours and utilize the existing building and on-site parking. Council considered public submissions both in support of the application and raising concerns about potential impacts, and noted that the proposed use is considered more compatible with the neighbourhood and Municipal Plan than the previous non-conforming use.
Decision: approved unanimously
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Zone Standards for New Lot in the Open Space Zone – 100 Logy Bay Road |
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Council reviewed an application by KMK Capital Inc. to set Zone Standards for the creation of a new lot within the Open Space (O) Zone. The application proposes subdividing land from 100 Logy Bay Road (Bally Haly Golf Course) only, with no development approval sought at this time. Council reviewed the proposed minimum lot area and frontage standards, noting that any future recreational development would require a separate development application for further review.
Decision: approved unanimously
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Discretionary Use - 29 Heavy Tree Road |
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Council approved a Discretionary Use application to permit the construction of a new single detached dwelling. The dwelling is considered a Discretionary Use within the Agriculture Zone, as it is not associated with a forestry or agricultural operation. The application includes subdivision of a new lot that meets all required zone standards for an unserviced lot. No public submissions were received, and the proposal received provincial approval from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. Council also set the applicable zone standards for the existing farm operation on the remaining parcel.
Decision: 10 approved, with Councillor Davis voting against
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Special Events Regulatory Committee - New Year's Eve Events
Council approved road closures and a noise by-law extension for two New Year’s Eve events in St. John’s.
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City of St. John’s Fireworks: Fireworks will take place at Quidi Vidi Lake on December 31 at 8 p.m. (with a backup date of January 1). Road closures for safety are recommended from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
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George Street Association Event: This free, all-ages event on George Street includes a DJ and pyrotechnics show. A noise by-law extension is requested until 12:30 am. A road closure on Duckworth Street (from New Gower Street to Bates Hill) is requested from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Both events will have security and parking enforcement in place to manage the closures.
Decision: approved unanimously
Text Amendment - Public Consultation
As was discussed at the December 9 Committee of the Whole Meeting, Council considered a proposed text amendment to Section 4.8 of the Envision St. John’s Development Regulations, prompted by recent changes to the Urban and Rural Planning Act regarding public notice requirements. The amendment will update how the City provides notice for rezonings, text amendments, discretionary uses, and non-conforming uses.
Key updates include:
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Removal of the requirement to publish notices in a newspaper.
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Minimum notice requirements now include postings at City Hall, the John Murphy Building (Planning and Development area), and on the City’s website, with continued mailing to property owners within 150 metres and posting on social media.
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Introduction of on-site notices for Municipal Plan and Development Regulations text and map amendments, including a QR code linking to the City’s Engage St. John’s page. Applicants are responsible for maintaining the notice on-site.
The amendment aligns with provincial legislation, reflects modern public engagement practices, and is consistent with approaches used in other Canadian municipalities. Staff recommended advertising the text amendment for public review and comment, without requiring a public meeting.
Decision: approved unanimously
Amendment to Annual Leave Allocations - Management Policy
Council approved an amendment to the Annual Leave Allocations Policy for management and non-union employees. The existing policy states that retiring employees are entitled to the same vacation or vacation pay as if they had worked until year-end. The amendment updates this to reflect current HR practice, where annual leave is allocated based on the employee’s retirement date: employees retiring between January 1 and June 30 receive half-year entitlements, and those retiring after June 30 receive full-year entitlements.
Decision: approved unanimously
Permits Issued
Council was provided with a list of Development Permits and Building Permits issued since the last council meeting for their information.
Tenders
A list of contracts awarded from November 12 to December 11, 2025 was shared for Council's information.
Weekly Payment Vouchers
Council approved the weekly payment vouchers for the weeks ending December 3 and 10.
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