City Council Meeting Recap: May 20, 2025
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The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on May 20, 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
Approval of Wall Sign - 331 Water Street
Council considered a request to approve an illuminated wall sign for AON on the BMO building at 331 Water Street, located in Heritage Area 1. Although the sign exceeds standard height restrictions by being above the second-storey windows, the Built Heritage Experts Panel recommended approval due to the sign’s design and placement. Staff supported the recommendation.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
New Dwelling in Heritage Area: 56 Brazil Street
Council reviewed the design of a new dwelling at 56 Brazil Street, located in Heritage Area 3. The proposed design meets the St. John’s Heritage By-Law and associated design standards for new buildings in heritage areas. As the proposal aligns with these standards, Council accepted a staff report in lieu of a formal Heritage Report, as permitted under the by-law.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
Rezoning: 74 Welland Street
Council were asked to adopt Envision St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment Number 51, 2025, to rezone a portion of land at 74 Welland Street (formerly 425 Blackmarsh Road) from the Apartment 2 (A2) Zone to the Residential 2 (R2) Zone. The rezoning allows for the creation of one new lot for a single detached dwelling. No public submissions were received, and staff recommended accepting a staff report in lieu of a Land Use Report given the small scale of the application.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
2023 Flood Risk Mapping Study
Council reviewed the 2023 Flood Risk Mapping Study, which assessed seven watercourses across the city. Conducted in partnership with provincial and federal agencies, the study produced updated 20-year and 100-year flood risk maps under current and climate change scenarios. Following this approval, Staff will prepare an amendment to the City’s Envision St. John's Development Regulations to incorporate the 100-year Climate Change Flood Risk Maps, which will guide future development.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
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:
Landscaping in the Floodplain Buffer - 560 Back Line |
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Approval was requested for landscaping and a driveway within the Floodplain Buffer at 560 Back Line. The property includes a previously approved Accessory Building in the buffer, and updated plans show grading, landscaping, and a driveway extension into the buffer to access this building. No concerns were raised by the Environment and Sustainability Experts Panel.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
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Change to Non-Conforming Building – 117 Newtown Road |
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Council was asked to approve interior changes to an existing non-conforming building to allow a Tri-Plex at 117 Newtown Road. The building does not meet current setback requirements but was previously approved for a Four-Plex in January 2025. The proposed changes are internal only and do not increase the non-conformity.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
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Public Works and Infrastructure in the Floodplain Buffer – 158 Ruby Line (Silas Road) |
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Council considered a request to approve public works and infrastructure—specifically a turnaround—within the Floodplain Buffer at 158 Ruby Line. The turnaround is needed to support a new Single Detached Dwelling on a subdivided lot beyond existing City services. The Environment and Sustainability Experts Panel had no concerns, and approval falls under Section 4.10(6) of the Development Regulations.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
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Servicing of a Private Development in the Wetland and Wetland Buffer - Southlands Area 9 Stage 2C |
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Council considered approval for servicing work within the Wetland and Wetland Buffer for a 25-lot subdivision off Great Southern Drive. The work includes constructing a drainage ditch to divert runoff from an undeveloped section of the road. As permitted under Section 4.10 of the Development Regulations, the application was reviewed by the Environment and Sustainability Experts Panel, which raised no concerns.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
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Public Utility in the Floodplain Buffer – Southlands Boulevard |
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Council reviewed an application from Newfoundland Power to install a new three-phase utility line continuing along Southlands Boulevard. The work includes the placement of new poles along the roadway, with some being located in the floodplain buffer. The application was reviewed by the City’s Environment and Sustainability Experts Panel, which raised no concerns.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
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Request for Variance on Building Height – 85 Quidi Vidi Village Road |
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Council reviewed an application for 85 Quidi Vidi Village Road seeking a 7.3% variance on the maximum building height to allow for the demolition and rebuild of a single detached dwelling. As permitted under the City’s Development Regulations, the variance falls within the allowable 10% range. No objections were received during the public notification process.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
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Request for Parking Relief – 25 Barnes Road |
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Council reviewed an application for parking relief at 25 Barnes Road to accommodate a Subsidiary Dwelling Unit. The applicant requested relief from the requirement to provide one additional parking space, citing the walkability of the downtown location and the lack of on-site parking typical for the area. Given the context and supporting staff report, Council considered the request without requiring a formal Parking Report.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
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Discretionary Use – 71 O’Leary Avenue |
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Council reviewed a Discretionary Use application from Whee Indoor Entertaining Inc. to operate an interactive arcade gaming facility at 71 O’Leary Avenue. The proposed Place of Amusement would operate daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is located in the Industrial Commercial Zone. The applicant requested parking relief for six spaces and a reduced parking lot buffer. No public submissions were received. Council considered the rationale provided and supporting staff report, including staggered business hours and updated site design, in its review of the application.
Decision: Approved Unanimously (Councillor Davis did not vote as he declared a Conflict of Interest due to owning a business in the same industry as the applicant)
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Accessory Building in the Watershed (Town of Portugal Cove – St. Phillip’s) – 11 Canon Smith Street |
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Council reviewed a referral from the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s for an application to build an Accessory Building at 11 Canon Smith Street, located within the Broad Cove Watershed. The proposed structure exceeds the size and height limits permitted in the Watershed, which allows for a maximum of 45 square metres and four metres in height.
Council were asked to reject the request, as the proposed development exceeds the maximum area and height allowed.
Decision: Council Approved the Rejection of the Application Unanimously
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Change of Non-Conforming Use – 262 Newfoundland Drive |
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Council reviewed an application for a change of Non-Conforming Use at 262 Newfoundland Drive, where the proposed Crazy Cat Lady Hotel and Spa would replace a former pharmacy. The new use—a cat grooming and boarding service—will share the building with a reduced-size medical clinic, both of which are non-conforming uses in the Residential 1 Zone. Three public submissions were received, with two in support. The applicant also requested parking relief for two spaces, which Council considered alongside staff’s recommendation, given the building’s shared use, reduced clinic hours, and nearby transit and on-street parking options.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
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Crown Land License – 4157 Trans-Canada Highway |
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Council reviewed an application for a Crown Land License at 4157 Trans-Canada Highway, referred by the Provincial Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. The license would permit use of a 2.1-hectare site, zoned Forestry, for the storage and stockpiling of quarry material. In 2019, the City issued a Discretionary Use approval for this area (original area was 8.65 ha), which allowed a quarry operation. The proposed use for stock piling of material would be allowed under the 2019 development approval.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
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Sale of City Land – Former Prowse Street, between 106 and 108 LeMarchant Road
Council approved the sale of City land formerly known as Prowse Street, located between 106 and 108 LeMarchant Road, to the developer of 120 LeMarchant Road for site access. The land, approximately 9,332 square feet, will be sold at $10 per square foot plus HST and fees, with required easements in place for City infrastructure and neighboring properties. The buyer must complete a survey and consolidate the land with their existing property.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
Petition - Gower, Prescott, and Bond Street
Councillor Ravencroft presented a petition from 43 residents requesting traffic calming measures at Bond Street and Prescott Street and Gower Street at Prescott Street. Staff will circulate the petition to Planning, Engineering, and Regulatory Services Staff for consideration.
Notice of Motion: Adoption of Commercial Property Tax and Vacancy Relief By-Law
Notice was provided that a motion to adopt the updated St. John’s Commercial Property Tax and Vacancy Relief By-Law will be brought forward at the next regular council meeting. The updates were made to improve clarity and definitions used in the by-law. The changes are intended to enhance understanding for both staff and property owners, without altering the current taxation structure.
Special Events Regulatory Committee
Council approved road closures put forward by the Special Events Regulatory Committee for the following events:
- Wildfire Community Preparedness Day - Closure of Alexis Place on June 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (local access maintained)
- Mews 8K Road Race - Rotating closures and/or lane reductions of various streets in the Mundy Pond area on June 8 from 7 to 9:30 a.m.
- Run for Women - Rotating closures and/or lane reductions of various streets in the Quidi Vidi area on June 14 from 8 to 11 a.m.
- St. John's Day Fair - Closure of a portion of Gower Street on June 21 from 9 to 6 p.m. (inclement weather date June 23) for a period themed fair at the Anglican Cathedral.
In addition, council approved a parks by-law exemption to allow the sale of goods and food at the 2025 National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration, hosted by First Light, which will take place in Bannerman Park on June 21.
Details on the road closures can be found in the decision note. An advisory will also be issued for all road closures prior to the event through the City's website to email subscribers and posted on social media.
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Naming of Street in Kenmount Terrace
Council approved the name Driftwood Street for a newly developed street in Kenmount Terrace as part of Bristolwood Phase 7A. The name was selected from the Reserved Street Name Inventory, which has been reviewed by both the Inclusion Advisory Committee and the St. John’s Regional Fire Department. Final approval was granted in accordance with the City’s street naming procedures.
Appointment: Arts and Culture Advisory Committee
Councill approved the appointment of the following individuals to the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee:
- Helena Elueme of WritersNL, Literary Organization Representative:
- Fabienne Christophle of Fédération des francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador, Cultural, Indigenous, and Intangible Heritage Organization Representative
- Kristen Piercey, of VANL, Visual Arts Organization Representative
- Kaitlyn Little, Community Based Public Member
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 May 7 and May 14.
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