City Council Meeting Recap - July 28, 2026

- Jul 31, 2026

The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on July 28, 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. 

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:

 

Video of Development Applications Discussion

Council was asked to establish a parking standard for an Institutional Use at 16 Smithville Crescent, where the Association of New Canadians is proposing to convert the existing building into 12 residential dwelling units. Because the Development Regulations do not specify parking requirements for an Institutional Use, Council must set the standard. Staff recommend requiring eight parking spaces, consistent with the parking requirements for an apartment building. The property already has enough on-site parking to meet this requirement.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Council was asked to consider a request for parking relief at 90 LeMarchant Road, where Ben Said Services Ltd. proposes to convert the existing building into a Lodging House with eight rooms and a Subsidiary Dwelling Unit. Under the Development Regulations, five parking spaces are required—four for the Lodging House and one for the dwelling unit—but only four spaces are available on the property. The applicant is requesting relief for one parking space, citing access to nearby bus routes, proximity to amenities, and the likelihood that lodging house residents may not own vehicles. While a Parking Report is normally required for requests to reduce parking, Council may instead consider the staff report if it determines a full Parking Report is not necessary.

Decision: Motion carried. Councillors Bruce, Halley, and Davis voted against.

Council was asked to consider a request for parking relief and heritage approval for a proposed development at 26 Livingstone Street. The application proposes subdividing the property to construct two townhouses, each with a subsidiary dwelling unit. Under the Development Regulations, four parking spaces are required, but no on-site parking is proposed, resulting in a request for relief of all four spaces.

The applicant noted that a nearby City-owned parking lot has residential permit capacity, and that the site is within walking distance of transit routes and amenities. While a Parking Report is normally required for parking reductions, Council may accept a staff report instead.

The property is zoned Residential Downtown (RD) and is located within Heritage Area 3. Staff determined that the proposed design meets the Heritage Design Standards for new buildings in Heritage Area 3, with final window details to be confirmed during the building permit stage. Staff also recommend that Council accept the staff report in lieu of a formal Heritage Report.


Decision: Motion carried 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:

View Video of Planning Applications Discussion

Council was asked to consider adopting St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment No. 81, 2026, which would clarify how the City’s 15-metre waterway buffer applies when streams and tributaries pass through bridges or culverts. When a watercourse flows underground through existing infrastructure, the proposed amendment would remove the requirement for a surface-level buffer in those areas, while maintaining protections for waterways elsewhere. Buffers would continue to apply where flood risk remains, such as in areas where floodwaters could reach road elevations.

During public consultation, the City received two submissions, both opposing the amendment due to concerns about climate change impacts on floodplains and potential effects on streams and the environment.

If adopted, the amendment will be forwarded to the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for registration.


Decision: Motion carried unanimously. 

Council was asked to consider adopting St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment No. 79, 2026, which would create a new land-use category called “Harbour Use” and permit it within the Industrial General (IG) Zone and in certain floodplains, waterbodies, and associated buffers. The amendment is intended to support the continued operation and future expansion of marine industrial activities around St. John’s Harbour, including the proposed redevelopment and expansion of the St. John’s Dockyard.

Currently, marine industrial activities are classified as Industrial Use, which is not permitted within a floodplain or floodplain buffer. The proposed amendment would establish Harbour Use as a separate land-use category, allow it in the IG Zone, and permit it in floodplains and floodplain buffers where appropriate. This aligns with Municipal Plan policies that recognize St. John’s Harbour as a working harbour and an important marine industrial area. No Municipal Plan amendment is required.

During public consultation, the City received one written submission supporting the amendment and three survey responses opposing it. Those opposed raised concerns about floodplain impacts and potential flooding risks.

If adopted, the amendment will be forwarded to the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Municipal and Community Affairs for registration.


Decision: Motion carried unanimously. 

Ratification of E-Polls:

Sometimes, City Council needs to make decisions quickly—before the next regular meeting. When that happens, members can vote electronically. This is called an E-Poll. At the next official council meeting, those decisions are brought forward and formally approved, or ratified, to make them part of the official public record.

Council ratified the following e-poll at the meeting:

Special Events Regulatory Committee:  Film Shoot Road Closure July 22 

Council approved a road closure to support filming for the television series Saint Pierre.

The production team requested the closure of Craigmiller Avenue between Ryan Street and Fraser Place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 22. Traffic control was managed by AWP, while emergency vehicles, local traffic, and Metrobus continued to have access to the area. Residents and businesses affected by the closure were notified in advance by letter.

Tenders

A list of contracts awarded from June 9 to July 20 was shared for Council’s information.

Notice of Motion

Recission of Development Regulations Amendment 77, 2026

Council received a Notice of Motion to rescind a motion approved on June 2, 2026, which adopted St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment No. 77, 2026.

The amendment currently allows Council, at its discretion, to permit accessory buildings in front of the building line in rural zones, permit taller accessory buildings in rural zones, and increase the maximum permitted height for backyard suites in rural residential zones.

If the Notice of Motion is successful, Council would repeal its previous decision and revoke the adoption of Amendment No. 77, 2026. The original motion was approved by a vote of 10 councillors in favour.

Appointments: Youth Engagement Working Group

Council was asked to approve the appointment of three new members to the Youth Engagement Working Group (YEWG) following a public call for members to fill recent vacancies.

The YEWG oversees the implementation of the City’s Youth Engagement Strategy and provides advice on how to engage youth in municipal issues. The group is currently working with staff to develop a new strategy that reflects the evolving needs and expectations of young adults.

14 applications were received and reviewed by staff. Applicants were evaluated based on factors such as diversity, passion, potential contributions, and representation across the 18–30 age demographic to ensure the group reflects a broad range of youth perspectives.

Staff recommended appointing Isidora Higdon, Jennifer Obiekwe, and Chukwukaima (Kaima) Diai as individual representatives on the YEWG.


Decision: Motion carried unanimously. 

Special Events Regulatory Committee

Council was asked to approve several road closures associated with community events and film production.

  • George Street Festival: Organizers requested that the previously approved eastbound Duckworth Street closure between Queen’s Road and Bates Hill be extended to a 24-hour closure from July 30 to August 5. The change would allow the use of water-filled barriers to improve pedestrian safety throughout the festival. Westbound traffic would remain unaffected, and delivery access would be maintained during designated morning hours.

  • Sunshine Camp Triathlon: Approval was requested for the closure of Bennetts Road between Thorburn Road and Kings Hill Road on August 9 from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. as part of the race route. The event would be supported by the RNC and route marshals.

  • East Middle Battery Road Block Party: Residents requested a road closure on August 9 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a neighbourhood block party. Volunteers would manage barricades, and local and emergency access would be maintained.

  • Saint Pierre Film Shoot: The production team requested a series of road closures on August 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Calver Avenue, Malta Street, Goodridge Street, Cairo Street, and Rankin Street area to accommodate filming. Traffic control would be provided by AWP, emergency access would be maintained, and affected residents and businesses would be notified in advance.

Overall, the requested closures are intended to support festival operations, a community sporting event, a neighbourhood celebration, and television production activities while maintaining emergency access and minimizing impacts on residents and businesses.


Decision: Motion carried unanimously. 

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 15 and July 22.

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