City Council Meeting Recap: July 29, 2025
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The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on July 29, 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
School Zone Time Update
Council approved an update to school zone speed limit signs citywide to reflect a 30 km/h limit from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days, aligning with the Highway Traffic Act (HTA). This change extends the morning enforcement start time by 30 minutes (previously 7:30 a.m.) and coincides with the upcoming rollout of the provincial automated image-capturing speed enforcement system. The updated signage will be in place before the school year begins on September 3, 2025, at multiple designated schools across the city.
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:
Accessory Building in the Floodplain Buffer: 248 Green Acre Drive |
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Council was asked to approve a 4.3m² accessory building proposed at 248 Green Acre Drive, which partially falls within a Floodplain Buffer. According to the St. John’s Development Regulations, such development is permitted with Council approval.
Decision: Approved unanimously. |
Accessory Building in the Floodplain Buffer: 8-10 Doyle's Road |
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Council was asked to approve a 29.65m² accessory building proposed at 8–10 Doyle’s Road, which is partially located within the Floodplain Buffer. Under the St. John’s Development Regulations, Council may permit such development.
Decision: Approved unanimously. |
Discretionary Use: 2 Hunt's Lane |
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A Discretionary Use application has been submitted by Newfoundland Bethel Assembly of God for a Place of Worship at 2 Hunt’s Lane. The 207m² facility would operate three evenings a week and has sufficient off-street parking. The site is zoned Commercial Neighbourhood (CN). One public submission raised concerns about traffic and potential crime, but no transportation issues were identified, and adequate parking is available for both the existing dental clinic and the proposed church.
Decision: 6 voted in favour, Councillors Noseworthy and Davis voted against. |
Building Line Setback: 15 Beaumont Street |
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Council was asked to approve a proposed 4.12-metre building line setback for a new dwelling at 15 Beaumont Street, replacing a home recently demolished due to fire. Although the Residential 2 (R2) Zone requires a 6-metre setback, Council has the authority to set an alternative. The original dwelling had a 0-metre setback, and the proposed setback aligns with the varied setbacks on the street while allowing for landscaping and snow storage.
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:
Zone Lines: 853 Main Road |
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Council reviewed an information note regarding the interpretation of zone lines at 853 Main Road in the Goulds to allow unserviced residential development along the road frontage, as a newly commissioned study confirms the wetland there is not significant. Although the land is currently zoned Rural (RUR) due to the previous presence of a wetland, adjacent properties are zoned Rural Residential Infill (RRI), which permits unserviced development. Rezoning is not permitted under City policy, but staff support reinterpreting the zone lines to extend the RRI Zone approximately 70 metres deep along the frontage—consistent with neighbouring lots—while the remainder of the property will remain in the RUR Zone. This is a one-time exception, and future wetland assessments must follow the City's established process.
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Adoption: 8 Shaw Street and 4 McLea Place |
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Council was asked to adopt Envision St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment Number 63, 2025, to rezone 8 Shaw Street and 4 McLea Place from the Residential Special (RA) Zone to the Residential 1 (R1) Zone. The applicant plans to subdivide the currently vacant properties into three Lots for Single-Detached Dwellings, which are permitted in the R1 Zone. A 10% variance on Lot Frontage is requested for the middle Lot. Public feedback raised concerns about access to community mailboxes and tree preservation. Staff recommend adoption of the amendment, approval of the variance, and submission to the provincial government for registration.
Decision: Approved unanimously. |
Rezoning: 120 Messenger Drive |
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Council was asked to consider rezoning 120 Messenger Drive from the Comprehensive Development Area 9 (CDA9) Zone to the Residential 1 (R1) Zone to allow for four new serviced residential lots. However, the property lies within the Urban Expansion district, where Municipal Plan policies require a Comprehensive Development Plan and full municipal servicing for the entire area before development can proceed. As no such plan currently exists for CDA9, staff recommend rejecting the application, considering the proposed development premature and inconsistent with long-term planning goals for coordinated growth and infrastructure.
Decision: 6 voted in support of the recommendation to reject application, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Davis voted against. |
Appointments
- Local Board of Appeal: Council approved the appointment of Christian Hurley and Sophie St. Croix to fill two vacancies on the St. John’s Local Board of Appeal. The previous members, Cliff Johnson and Bruce Blackwood, completed their second and final terms on July 8, 2025. An Expression of Interest process was held, resulting in 14 applications, from which the recommended candidates were selected through a review matrix.
- Inclusion Advisory Committee: Council approved the appointment of new representatives to the Inclusion Advisory Committee (IAC) for the Physical and Neurological Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+, and Mental Health positions. Following a public call and review of 10 applications, the recommended candidates were: Megan Wall (Easter Seals), Jenna Slaney (St. John’s Pride), and Kimberley Hawco (Independent Representative). Selections were based on expertise, experience, and knowledge, in accordance with the IAC Terms of Reference.
Sale of City Land: Adjacent to 22 Monroe Street
Council was asked to approve the sale of a 598 sq. ft. parcel of City-owned land adjacent to 22 Monroe Street, previously part of the former Trunk Lane road reservation. The owner has used the land for parking for several years and has requested to purchase it. There are no objections from City staff, with conditions including maintaining nearby pedestrian access and no driveway off the adjacent stub area. The sale price is set at $20/sq. ft. plus HST and fees, totalling approximately $11,960. The land must be consolidated with the buyer’s existing property.
Decision: Motion deferred - 6 voted for deferral, Councillors Burton and Bruce voted against deferral.
Easement over City land at 62 Alexander Street
Council approval was requested to grant an easement over approximately 72 sq. ft. of City property at 62 Alexander Street to the owner of 60 Alexander Street for rear access. The easement price is set at $3.00 per square foot plus HST and fees, totaling about $216. No objections were raised by City staff.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
Special Events Regulatory Committee
Council approved to extend the Duckworth Street road closure for the George Street Festival to be 24/7 from July 31 to August 6. The closure, previously approved for evenings only, will use water-filled barriers to enhance pedestrian safety throughout the day. Eastbound traffic will be detoured, while westbound traffic remains unaffected. Supervised access will be provided each morning to allow deliveries to businesses on the south side of Duckworth Street.
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Tenders
A list of contracts awarded from June 25 to July 23 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 July 16 to 23.
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