The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on June 3, 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
Council was asked to approve the design of a new house at 4A Middle Battery Road, located in Heritage Area 4 (Battery) and zoned Residential Battery (RB). The proposed design meets the St. John’s Heritage By-Law standards for this area. Although a Heritage Report is typically required for new developments in Heritage Areas, staff recommend that Council accept a staff report instead since the proposed design meets the Heritage By-Law standards.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Councillor Bruce expressed concern about residents feeling unsafe due to problematic tenants in nearby rental properties. Despite efforts by City staff and police, the situation persists because these rentals lack government oversight and support as they are not registered shelters. She called for greater accountability from landlords and urged higher levels of government to take action. You can watch her call for action and response from the Mayor and fellow councillors starting at approximately 01:12:00 on the video stream.
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: 10 Eastland Drive
Council was asked to approve a request for relief of nine parking spaces for an extension to a Warehouse and Office Building at 10 Eastland Drive. The development regulations require 38 parking spaces, but only 29 are available. The applicant justifies the request by stating that only three new staff will be added, and seven spaces are currently unused. As per regulations, a staff report (instead of a full Parking Report) is provided to support the request.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Approval in Principle for Child Care Centre: 28 Stavanger Drive
Council was asked to grant Approval in Principle for a proposed Child Care Centre at 28 Stavanger Drive. The centre would operate within an existing 205m² building, accommodate 72 children, and employ 22 staff. Adequate parking and access are available. The use is permitted in the Commercial Regional (CR) Zone, and preliminary review confirms the site meets zoning and servicing requirements.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Request for Parking Relief: 110 St. Clare Avenue
Council was asked to approve a request for relief of one parking space for a new dwelling with two subsidiary units at 110 St. Clare Avenue. Regulations require one space per unit, but the applicant cites that the future tenant will not need a vehicle, and the property is in a walkable area with a nearby bus stop. A staff report is provided in place of a Parking Report, as permitted under the Development Regulations.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Warehouse Use Extension in the Watershed: 573 Thorburn Road
Council was asked to consider rejecting a proposed warehouse extension at 573 Thorburn Road, located in the Broad Cove Watershed and zoned Rural Residential. The existing warehouse is 371m², with a proposed 224.83m² addition for business operations and lumber storage. The property has non-conforming features, including encroachment and parking of multiple vehicles, which are not permitted in the zone. Due to concerns over water quality protection and unclear future use of the site, staff recommend the extension not be approved.
Decision: 6 approved, Councillor Davis rejected
Request for Parking Relief: 790 Kenmount Road
Council was asked to approve a request for relief of 105 parking spaces for a new four-storey, 11,820m² self-storage warehouse at 790 Kenmount Road. Although regulations require 118 spaces, only 13 are proposed. The applicant argues that the nature of the use requires minimal on-site activity, no additional staff are being added, and the parking demand is low. The proposed parking is consistent with existing uses on the site. A staff report is provided in place of a Parking Report, as permitted by the Development Regulations.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Discretionary Use: 16 Jamie Korab Street
Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application for a home-based sunless tanning business, Sweet Bronze Sunless Tanning NL, at 16 Jamie Korab Street. The business would operate in a 12m² space with up to five clients per day and off-street parking available. The property is zoned Residential 1 (R1). Three public submissions raised concerns about traffic, parking, child safety, and commercial use in a residential area. However, staff note there is no existing approved business on-site, and the proposed use fits within home occupation limits and does not raise traffic concerns.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Land Use Report: 45 East White Hills Road
Council was asked to approve revised drawings, including added balconies, for a proposed senior’s apartment building at 45 East White Hills Road. The project, originally approved in 2019 under the 1994 Development Regulations, included an eight-storey building requiring a Land Use Assessment Report (LUAR) and public consultation. The development has continued under the 1994 regulations despite the adoption of new regulations in 2021. The addition of balconies changes the building’s appearance but is not regulated under the current rules. Staff recommend approval without further public consultation, though a neighbourhood notification will be sent.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Revised Drawings: 275 Duckworth Street
Raising the Roof Chez Toit applied to develop 34 Micro Dwelling Units in the heritage building at 275 Duckworth Street, targeting low-income tenants (up to 80% of median rent). The units will occupy floors 1–5; the ground floor remains commercial.
The applicant is seeking parking relief for 7 required spaces, citing walkability and nearby transit. Concerns about crime, downtown impacts, lack of family housing, and use of a heritage building were raised. On-site social supports and common spaces are planned.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Non-Conforming Use in the Floodplain and Buffer: 66-72 Forest Pond Road
Council was asked to consider allowing the demolition and rebuild of a non-conforming single detached dwelling at 66–72 Forest Pond Road, which is located within the 20- and 100-year floodplain and buffer. While new dwellings are not permitted in these areas under current regulations, the proposed rebuild reduces the building footprint by 69m² and moves it farther from the water, lowering flood risk. Though part of the new structure remains in the floodplain, it is in a less vulnerable area. Since the degree of non-conformity is not increased, Council may approve the application, with the condition that no significant grade changes occur. Environmental panel consultation is not required.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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:
Council was asked to reconsider rezoning part of 7 Waterford Bridge Road to allow a six-unit apartment building. The previous rezoning application was rejected on March 25, 2025. The new proposal by Harbour Capital Corp. involves subdividing the property into two lots and rezoning the developed portion from Residential 1 (R1) to Apartment 2 (A2). The existing single detached dwelling would be renovated into the apartment building. One shared driveway is proposed, with an access agreement pending. Staff have no concerns and recommend public notification, noting no municipal plan amendment or public hearing is required.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Council was asked to adopt Amendment Number 54, 2025, to rezone land at 75 Lady Anderson Street from Residential Reduced Lot (RRL) Zone to Residential 1 (R1) Zone. This rezoning supports the creation of parking and an outdoor play area for a new Child Care Centre in a building proposed at 175 Ladysmith Drive. Child Care Centres and parking lots are not permitted in the current RRL Zone but are discretionary uses in the R1 Zone. The two properties will be consolidated if the development proceeds.
A Land Use Report was not deemed necessary due to the small scale and compatibility with the neighbourhood; a staff report was accepted instead. The amendment was publicly advertised and feedback collected, showing mixed responses: most residents supported the daycare citing local need, while some expressed concerns about traffic, noise, and daycare size.
In addition to the rezoning, Council approved the discretionary use of a Child Care Centre and Parking Lot.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Council was asked to finalize amendments to the Envision St. John’s Municipal Plan and Development Regulations to rezone land along Main Road and Shoal Bay Road, Goulds, from Rural and Rural Residential zones to Residential 1 (R1) and adjust related zoning slivers for better alignment with property boundaries.
These changes follow upgrades to the local sewage system, enabling more serviced residential development. A Municipal Plan amendment redesignates the land from Urban Expansion and Rural districts to Residential.
After a Commissioner’s Public Hearing and report recommending approval, staff also support the amendments. If Council agrees, the amendments will be sent to the provincial department for registration.
Future subdivision or infill applications on this land will be reviewed case-by-case. Staff recommend accepting this report in place of a full Land Use Report due to the nature of the rezoning.
Decision: Approved unanimously
725 Southland Boulevard (Galway)
Council was asked to adopt Envision St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment Number 55, 2025, to revise Schedules B–D of the Planned Mixed Development 1 (PMD1) Zone in Galway. The changes include increasing commercial land along Claddagh Road and reducing the residential lot frontage along Kinsale Walk, consistent with the 2024 approved concept plan for increased density and a grid-like street layout.
Public consultation showed mixed feedback: some support for more commercial space, but concerns about increased traffic, parking, and frequent plan changes. A traffic impact statement from 2024 remains valid, as the proposed changes (about 11 more lots) are minimal.
Staff support the amendment and recommend accepting this staff report instead of a full Land Use Report due to the limited scale of the changes. The plan also introduces a flexible “hatched area” to accommodate either residential or commercial development based on future demand.
Decision: Approved unanimously
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 - 33 Mullock Street
Council approved the sale of 33 Mullock Street, which was identified as surplus land. Since the land is not a standalone lot and contains underground infrastructure, it will only be offered to the owners of 31 Mullock Street, with an easement covering the entire area. The buyer must survey and consolidate the land with their existing property.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Sale of Land Adjacent to 22 Hayward Avenue
The property owner has requested to buy the footpath next to their property, citing ongoing maintenance issues and problems with vandalism and loitering. Councillor Ravencroft requested that the matter be deferred following an email from the George Town Neighbourhood Association raising concerns about the sale. She would like the opportunity to discuss the issue with the association before proceeding.
Decision: Council approved the request to defer unanimously
Previously within a floodplain, the land is no longer in the updated floodplain area and will remain zoned as open space. The property owner seeks to purchase it to meet rear yard requirements for a forthcoming development proposal.
Councillor Bruce inquired about the open space area, noting that the decision note indicates it is to remain open space while also mentioning that the owner is preparing a development proposal. The Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering, and Regulatory Services responded that he would need to review the details but explained that the land is intended to fulfill open space requirements and is also needed to provide certain access points. It was also clarified that while a few minor uses may be permitted on land zoned Open Space, they would not be considered a development.
Councillor Davis expressed concern that removing the land from the flood plain buffer zone might lead to rezoning and potential development. He questioned whether the City is charging the buyer a fair price, given the land’s potential. He requested deferring the item to a future meeting to allow time to look into how the price was assessed.
Decision: Council approved the request to defer unanimously
Council was asked to adopt the new St. John’s Commercial Property Tax and Vacancy Relief By-Law. Since 2013, the City eliminated the business occupancy tax and combined it with commercial property tax, allowing property owners to claim “vacancy relief” for exempt situations (e.g., registered charities, government use, or properties under renovation). The current by-law managing this process has led to confusion, and an internal audit highlighted areas needing clarification.
The new by-law aims to simplify and clarify the language, define “vacancy” more clearly, explicitly reference daycares, and provide clearer application guidelines—without changing the existing tax formula or increasing taxes.
Decision: Approved unanimously
Council approved hosting a breakfast at City Hall for approximately 80 staff and students of Shad Memorial 2025 on Tuesday, July 22. The event includes breakfast with the Mayor and/or councillors and a tour of Council Chambers. This annual event has been supported by Council since 2007. Shad is a national non-profit program for high-potential high school students, aimed at developing leadership skills and exposing them to career and educational opportunities.
Council approved the following event related road closures and by-law exemptions:
Hudson and Rex Filming (June 15):
Forest Road (Kings Bridge Rd to Factory Lane), 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Traffic control in place; local and emergency access maintained.
Tely 10 Road Race (June 22):
Multiple road closures throughout the city from early morning until noon.
RNC and Parking Enforcement will manage closures.
Oberon Street Block Party (June 28, rain date June 29):
1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Volunteers at barricades; emergency access maintained.
Cornwall Crescent Block Party (June 29, rain date July 5):
12 p.m. to 10 p.m., near 39–45 Cornwall Crescent.
Volunteers at barricades; emergency access maintained.
City of St. John’s Canada Day Celebrations (July 1):
Family Fun Day at King George V Field, road closure on Carnell Drive (12 p.m. to 11 p.m.).
Fireworks at Quidi Vidi, road closures (8 p.m. to 11 p.m.): The Boulevard, Lake Ave, Clancey Dr, Lakeview Ave.
George Street Association’s Canada Day Events (June 30–July 1):
Noise By-Law extensions to midnight both nights.
Alcohol sales extended to 3 a.m.
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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A list of contracts awarded from May 1 to 28 was shared for Council’s information.
Council was provided with a list of Development Permits and Building Permits issued since the last council meeting for their information.
Council approved the weekly payment vouchers for the weeks ending May 21 and May 28.
The below proclamations took place at the meeting. All proclamations are also shared on our website.
Nickel Independent Film Festival WeekMayor Danny Breen was joined by Elling Lien and Ane Christensen to proclaim June 16-22, 2025 as Nickel Independent Film Festival Week.
ParticipACTION Community Challenge National Health and Fitness DayMayor Danny Breen was joined by Tara Cumby, Krista Gladney, Dr. Katie Wadden, Isabella Ryan, and Megane Bourgeois to proclaim June 7, 2025 as National Health and Fitness Day.
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P.O. Box 908, St. John's, A1C 5M2
Phone: 311 or 754-CITY (2489)
Email: access@stjohns.ca
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