City Council Meeting Recap: October 7, 2025

The following is a recap of the final Council meeting for the current elected group which took place on October 7, 2025. 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

Farewell from the Current Council Group

Many councillors reflected and shared heartfelt goodbyes as they wrapped up their final council meeting for the current elected group.

View Final Comments from Council Group

Motion to Support a Canadian Arms Embargo on Israel

Council passed a resolution expressing support for human rights and concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The resolution directs the City of St. John’s to write to the Prime Minister, provincial Premier, and local MPs and Senators to:

Support a two-way arms embargo on Israel, halting military equipment transfers to or from Canada.
Advocate for improvements to the Gaza Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) program to help reunite Gazan-Canadian families.

The resolution acknowledges the city’s growing Palestinian community and references public protests, international calls for accountability, and a March 2024 non-binding House of Commons motion on arms exports.

Learn More

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:

Discretionary Use: 516-520 Topsail Road

Council was asked to approve a Discretionary Use application from Amomos Holdings Inc. to operate a 160m² restaurant serving African cuisine, coffee, and non-alcoholic beverages at 516 Topsail Road. The restaurant would operate daily from 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The site is zoned Commercial Neighbourhood (CN) and meets parking requirements. Four public submissions were received—one in support and three raising questions about the type of restaurant, alcohol service, and traffic safety. Residents with traffic concerns can contact the City’s Transportation Engineering division.

Decision: Approved unanimously

Learn More

Discretionary Use: 6 Robin Hood Bay Road

Decision: Approved unanimously

Learn More

Discretionary Use: 371 Main Road

Council was asked to approve a Discretionary Use application from the City of St. John’s for a new 2,092m² fire station at 371 Main Road. The site spans Residential 1 (R1) and Rural Residential Infill (RRI) Zones, with parking to be set at 13 spaces. No public submissions were received, though five comments on the Engage page raised questions about crosswalks, construction timing, traffic, and service coverage. The existing crosswalk at Main Road and Doyle’s Road will be upgraded with flashing lights, and additional safety improvements may follow. Construction tendering is expected in Fall 2025, with minimal traffic impacts anticipated. Once operational, the station will serve the entire urban region as part of the city’s integrated emergency response system. The project includes new services, landscaping, and work within a floodplain buffer, which the Environment and Sustainability Experts Panel reviewed without concern.

Decision: Approved unanimously

Learn More

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: 70 Power's Road

Council was asked to consider a text amendment to the Envision St. John’s Development Regulations to define Cidery/Winery and add it as a discretionary use in the Agriculture (AG) Zone, enabling a proposed cidery by Fibonacci Holdings Ltd. at 70 Power’s Road, Goulds.

The amendment would allow cider or wine production where ingredients are at least partly grown on-site and could include optional ancillary uses such as a tasting room, retail sales, or restaurant. The proposed cidery would initially focus on production only.

The Land Development Advisory Authority (LDAA) supports the amendment, which aligns with Municipal Plan policies promoting agribusiness, local food production, and sustainable land use. Staff recommend Council accept a staff report in lieu of a land use report, as the proposal fits the agricultural context and has provincial approval. Public notification, but not a public meeting, will follow once a revised site plan is received.

Decision: Approved unanimously

Learn More

Map Amendment: 853 Main Road

Council was asked to consider a map amendment to Appendix C, Map 4 of the Envision St. John’s Development Regulations to change the wetland at 853 Main Road from “requiring further study” to “unprotected.”

A recent wetland study, using the same consultant and criteria as the City’s, determined the site’s Wetland Ecosystem Services Protocol (WESP) score is below 5, meaning it is not a significant wetland. City staff reviewed and accepted these findings.

While the study was initiated independently by the property owner, staff emphasized that future wetland assessments must first be coordinated with the City. If Council proceeds, staff recommend public notification in accordance with Section 4.8 of the Development Regulations.

Decision: Approved unanimously

Learn More

Revised Elevations: 21A Angel Place

Council was asked to approve revised elevations for a new townhouse at 21A Angel Place in Heritage Area 3. The property is zoned Residential 3 (R3).

Council previously approved the original design in January 2025 based on a staff report in lieu of a Heritage Report. The updated design removes the third storey and garage, and includes a modified roofline. The revised elevation complies with the City’s Heritage Design Standards for residential buildings in Heritage Area 3.

Decision: Approved unanimously

Learn More

Youth Engagement Strategy Renewal

Council was asked to review plans to renew the Youth Engagement Strategy over the next year. The current strategy, approved in October 2020, is now outdated and needs to reflect the evolving needs of young adults.

Since its launch, the strategy has delivered several initiatives, including:

Creation of the City Influencers online youth panel (291 members, 27 surveys completed).
Youth-led pop-up events promoting engagement.
Youth Forums (2022–23) addressing topics like transit, parks, and economic development.
Business and sustainability events in 2024 and 2025.
Integration of civic engagement content into the Pathways high school program.

The proposed renewal process includes:

Fall 2025–Winter 2026: public engagement, surveys, and jurisdictional scan.
Winter 2026: preparation of a What We Heard report and draft strategy.
Spring 2026: presentation to Council for approval.

A subcommittee of the Youth Engagement Working Group will lead the update, focusing on meaningful engagement, especially for newcomers and underrepresented youth, and reviewing both traditional and non-traditional communication approaches.

Decision: Approved unanimously

Learn More

Request to Transfer Design Fee Funding

Council was asked to approve the transfer of $150,000 in surplus design funding from the Anna Templeton Building Envelope Study to the George Street Revitalization Project.

The Building Envelope Study was budgeted at $300,000, with the successful proposal costing $100,395, leaving a surplus of $199,605. The George Street Revitalization design phase requires $875,000, exceeding its $750,000 budget by $125,000. The transfer would cover this shortfall.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

Learn More

Appointment: Shea Heights Community Centre Board of Directors

Council was asked to approve the appointment of Chris Druken as a new At Large Member of the Shea Heights Community Centre Board of Directors. The Board, which oversees social, recreational, and educational programs for Shea Heights residents, currently has one At Large vacancy. The applicant was supported by the Board following a public call for volunteers.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

Learn More

Special Events Regulatory Committee

Council was asked to approve road closures and noise by-law extensions for several upcoming events:

CLB Anniversary Parade – October 19: Parade route from the CLB Armory through downtown streets to the Anglican Cathedral and back. The RNC and City Parking Services will manage rolling road closures.
Diwali Celebrations – October 20: The Hindu Temple at 26 Penny Lane requests a fireworks by-law exemption for a small display of sparklers and low-level fountains (under 3 feet) from 8–9 p.m., supported by the St. John’s Regional Fire Department.
George Street Mardi Gras – November 1: A 19+ on-street costume party and DJ event organized by the George Street Association, requesting a noise by-law extension until midnight.

All closures aim to support event safety while maintaining necessary access where possible.

Subscribe to Receive Advisories

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 September 24 and October 1.