City Council Meeting Recap: January 27, 2026
More
Search
Back to Search
The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on January 27, 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:
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: 393 Hamilton Avenue Extension |
|
Council was asked to approve a request to relieve one parking space at 393 Hamilton Avenue Extension to allow the conversion of an existing retail flower shop to a residential dwelling unit, a permitted use in the R1 Zone. The property contains a second-floor subsidiary dwelling unit but only one on-site parking space, where two are typically required. The request is supported by reduced parking demand from residential use, potential for stacked on-site parking, available on-street parking, and proximity to a bus stop, with staff recommending Council consider the request without requiring a formal Parking Report.
Decision: Approved unanimously |
Discretionary Use: 119-121 Long's Hill |
|
Council was asked to approve a Discretionary Use application for 119–121 Long’s Hill to permit a ground-floor residential dwelling unit within an existing building in the Commercial Mixed Use (CM) Zone. The proposed 111.5 m² dwelling unit requires parking relief, with the applicant citing reduced parking demand, downtown walkability, and access to transit. While two submissions opposed the loss of street-level commercial space and raised compatibility concerns, staff note that the CM Zone allows a mix of residential and commercial uses and that the application supports stable occupancy and housing needs. Staff recommend Council consider the request without requiring a formal Parking Report.
Decision: Approved unanimously |
Discretionary Use: 13 Walsh's Lane |
|
Council was asked to approve a Discretionary Use application for 13 Walsh’s Lane to demolish the existing dwelling and subdivide the property to create two single detached dwellings in the Agriculture Zone. The proposed development meets all zone standards, has received provincial approval due to minimal agricultural impact, and will not result in the loss of agricultural land. No submissions were received.
Decision: Approved unanimously |
Change of Non-Conforming Use: 133 St. Clare Avenue |
|
Council was asked to approve a change of Non-Conforming Use application for 133 St. Clare Avenue to allow the conversion of an existing service shop from a hair salon to a dog grooming salon in the Residential 2 (R2) Zone. The proposed use would occupy approximately 70 m², operate by appointment Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., accommodate up to 12 clients per day, and provide off-street parking. No submissions were received.
Decision: Approved unanimously |
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:
Text Amendment: Envision St. John’s Development Regulations |
|
Council was asked to adopt Envision St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment Number 68, 2026, to update Section 4.8 “Public Consultation” in response to changes to the Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000 (URPA) regarding notice requirements. The amendment requires public notices to be posted at City Hall, the John J. Murphy Building, and on the City’s website, with continued mailing to nearby property owners and social media postings. For certain land-use changes, on-site notices will also be required, exceeding minimum provincial requirements. The update clarifies notice methods, ensures application information is available digitally via the Engage project page, and allows for guidelines to specify notice size, location, and content. Public feedback was mixed, with support for on-site notices and digital access, but some concern over reduced newspaper advertising and clarity of notice content. Residents can subscribe to digital notifications, and Council retains the flexibility to provide additional notice methods. As the amendment is text-based and required to meet provincial legislation, staff recommend acceptance of a staff report in lieu of a full Land Use Report. Following adoption, the amendment will be forwarded to the NL Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for registration.
Decision: Approved unanimously |
Envision St. John’s Development Regulations Housekeeping Amendment |
|
Council was asked to approve a housekeeping amendment to the Envision St. John’s Development Regulations. The proposed minor changes, identified through routine review, are intended to correct typos, inconsistencies, duplications, and omissions, and to clarify provisions that could be misinterpreted. These updates do not change the intent of the regulations but will improve their implementation and administration. A summary of the changes and rationale is provided with the proposed amendment.
Decision: Approved unanimously |
Legal Matters
Council regularly addresses legal matters involving the acquisition or expropriation of land or the sale of City land. These decisions are important to support infrastructure projects and/or facilitate development.
Sale of City Land: 2 Bates Hill |
|
Council was asked to approve the sale of City-owned land at the rear of 2 Bates Hill to the property owner. The 130-square-foot parcel, zoned RD, will be sold for approximately $2,600 plus HST and fees. The purchaser will complete a survey and must consolidate the land with their existing property. No objections were raised by City departments.
Decision: Approved unanimously |
Sale of City Land: 115 MacDonald Drive |
|
Council was asked to approve the sale of a portion of City land at 115 MacDonald Drive to the owner of 135 MacDonald Drive for additional parking. The sale, valued at $69,092 plus HST and fees, requires a survey and consolidation with the existing property. While staff do not support connecting this area to the current parking at 115 MacDonald Drive, the land, currently zoned open space, would be interpreted to match the COH zoning of 135 MacDonald Drive. No objections were raised by City departments.
Decision: 10 voted in favour, Councillor Hickman abstained |
Expropriation of Easement at 255 Major’s Path |
|
Council was asked to approve the expropriation of an easement on the property at 255 Major’s Path for the installation of the Portugal Cove Road roundabout. The easement is required by Newfoundland Power to complete work prior to roundabout construction in spring 2026. The acquisition price is set at $1.20–$1.70 per square foot, and the City will cover reasonable legal fees. No response has been received from the property owner to date.
Decision: Approved unanimously |
Appointments
Council made appointments to the following areas:
St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership Council |
| Council approved the appointment of members to the St. John’s Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Council, a community-based initiative supported by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to strengthen newcomer settlement and integration. Following a call for members and review of 35 applications, the following individuals are recommended for approval: Kari Esparza-Sosa (YWCA), Bahar Hashemi (Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador), Ailsa Craig (Quadrangle NL), Ema Shiroma-Chao, Laurabel Mba, and Didan A. Wedderburn. In addition, representatives from nine key organizations are recommended: Khalid Al Hariri (Association for New Canadians), Renata Lang (AMAL Unite & Empower), Mary Annie Kinuthia (Government of Newfoundland & Labrador – Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism), Bruce Lilly (Ukrainian National Federation of Canada), David LaPierre (Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador), Shawn Broomfield (First Light NL), Allison Hiscock (NL Health Services), Hiram Jun (Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador), and Linda Spingle (College of North Atlantic). The Partnership Council will act as an advisory body to guide strategic priorities, ensure diverse perspectives, and align local, regional, and national efforts. |
Shea Heights Community Centre Board of Directors |
| Council approved the appointment of Andrea Chafe as a new At Large Member to the Shea Heights Community Centre Board of Directors. The Board, which facilitates social, recreational, and educational programs for residents, currently has a vacancy for an At Large position. The Board supports the appointment, which must be ratified by City Council. |
Assessment Review Court Commissioner |
| Council approved the appointment of an additional Assessment Review Court Commissioner to the existing roster. The Court, which hears appeals on residential and commercial property assessments, currently has five commissioners, and scheduling challenges can arise due to conflicts, absences, or vacations. Following a call for Expressions of Interest in November 2025, Greg Bennett was recommended for appointment to enhance scheduling flexibility and ensure timely hearings. |
Development Design Manual – Revision
Council approved a revision to the Development Design Manual, the City’s guiding document for all development. This is the third update since its implementation in January 2024 which incorporates updates related to recent amendments to the Development Regulations and includes additional changes to streamline and encourage development.
Applause Awards – Addition of Arts and Culture Category
Council approved the addition of two new arts and culture awards to the City’s Applause Awards program—“Artist of the Year” and “Arts Organization/Group of the Year”—developed in consultation with the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and informed by community engagement. A third award, the “Enduring Impact Award,” recognizing long-term contributions to arts and culture, may be established once a community partner is secured.
These awards aim to recognize both annual achievements and sustained contributions. If approved, City staff will develop nomination forms and integrate the new awards into the Applause Awards program for the January 2026 launch.
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 January 14 and January 21.
Laboratory Services Accreditation
The City’s Laboratory Services Division has achieved ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, an internationally recognized standard confirming the quality, accuracy, and reliability of its water and wastewater testing. This significant milestone was formally brought before Council for recognition and celebration, highlighting the importance of this achievement for both the City and the community.
Earning this accreditation strengthens public confidence in the City’s water systems, supports regulatory compliance, and reflects a strong culture of continuous improvement within the organization. The achievement is the result of the dedication and expertise of the entire Laboratory Services team, with special recognition given to Manager Deborah Smith, whose leadership over 43 years of service has made a lasting impact as she prepares for retirement.
Contact Us
Subscribe