The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on June 30, 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.
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: 158 Ruby Line
Change of Non-Conforming Use: 262 Newfoundland Drive
Discretionary Use: 59 Battery Road
Proposed Accessory Building in the Floodplain Buffer: 66-72 Forest Pond Road
Discretionary Use: 20 Kerr Street
Discretionary Use: 172 Duckworth Street
Discretionary Use: 300 Torbay Road
Discretionary Use: 607 Torbay Road
Building Stepback and Parking Relief: 120 LeMarchant Road
Council was asked to consider a reduced building stepback and parking relief for a proposed 13-storey, 417-unit apartment building at 120 LeMarchant Road.
The developer is requesting a reduced stepback from 45 degrees to 40 degrees to avoid losing additional parking spaces. Staff indicate the change would not negatively affect neighbouring residential properties.
The developer is also requesting relief for 168 parking spaces, proposing 276 spaces instead of the 444 required. While staff agree the site is suitable for some parking relief due to its location and transit access, they have concerns that the requested reduction is too large and could create a parking shortfall. Staff recommend addressing the potential parking gap before parking relief is approved.
Decision: the original motion was to approve the setback and reject the parking relief, but Council voted to amend the motion to approve both, which passed 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 application was reviewed at the meeting:
Rezoning: 188 Airport Heights Drive
Council was asked to consider rezoning 188 Airport Heights Drive from Residential 1 (R1) to Residential 2 (R2) to allow the development of approximately 54 semi-detached homes and 27 townhouses, creating 81 new housing units.
Staff note the proposal aligns with the Envision St. John’s Municipal Plan by increasing housing choice and providing moderate residential intensification in an area with access to transit and active transportation. The development would be compatible with the surrounding neighbourhood and would not affect the nearby protected wetland.
Staff recommend accepting a staff report instead of a Land Use Report and, if Council wishes to proceed, undertaking public notification before considering the rezoning.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Amendment Adoption in Principle: Cowan Heights and University Area Neighbourhood Plans
Council was asked to adopt-in-principle Municipal Plan and Development Regulations amendments to implement the new Cowan Heights and University Area Neighbourhood Plans.
The proposed amendments would guide future growth by identifying areas for higher-density residential development, mixed-use development, and neighbourhood commercial uses. Key changes include rezonings to support more housing options, redevelopment opportunities on NL Housing properties, and the introduction of a new Neighbourhood Infill (NI) Zone to streamline development approvals in neighbourhood plan areas.
If approved in principle, the amendments will be reviewed by the Province and then return to Council to set a public hearing, where residents can provide feedback on the proposed changes.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Council was advised of proposed amendments to the Residential Property Standards By-Law, Commercial Maintenance By-Law, and Heritage By-Law to regulate the placement of heat pumps, air conditioners, and exhaust devices.
The changes would move these regulations from the Development Regulations to the City’s bylaws, allowing Regulatory Services to more effectively investigate complaints and enforce requirements. The amendments include rules for the location of these devices, drainage requirements for units installed above other properties, and measures to protect the character-defining features of heritage buildings.
The amendments also include updates related to interior doors in residential properties, addressing an omission from the 2025 bylaw review and strengthening safety requirements related to locks and door maintenance.
Council was advised of proposed amendments to the Sign By-Law that would require on-site notices for Municipal Plan and Development Regulations amendments and rezonings that require a land use report.
The change responds to public feedback seeking earlier notification of development proposals. Applicants would be required to post and maintain notices on the site throughout the application process, with the City providing guidelines for the signs.
The amendment would also exempt these required notices from the Sign By-Law’s prohibition on posted signs, ensuring they are permitted even though they are installed by applicants rather than the City.
Council was asked to approve the City’s audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2025.
The City’s auditors issued a clean audit opinion, indicating the financial statements fairly present the City’s financial position and results. The statements differ from the annual budget because they are prepared on a consolidated basis, including the financial results of St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Limited and the St. John’s Transportation Commission, and use accrual accounting rather than the cash basis used for budgeting.
The City’s cash-based financial results will be presented to Council separately following approval of the audited statements.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Council was asked to approve the 2026–2027 Internal Audit Plan.
The plan outlines audits that will assess whether City programs are effectively managing risks, complying with policies and Council directives, and supporting the City’s strategic goals. It was developed using a risk-based approach that considered input from management, reviews of audits conducted in other Canadian municipalities, and professional judgment.
The 2026 and 2027 plans include reviews of key City services and operations, such as bridge maintenance, Metrobus maintenance, grants and subsidies, fire suppression, disability case management, parks maintenance, recreation programs, garbage disposal, and snow clearing. The plan also includes follow-up audits to monitor the implementation of past recommendations.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Council was asked to approve the expropriation of land at 113 Cornwall Avenue to facilitate the construction of a new Water and Wastewater pump station at the intersection of Topsail Road and Cornwall Avenue.
While the property owners have agreed to the purchase price, delays related to their lender’s appraisal requirements could impact construction timelines. Expropriation was recommended to prevent potential project delays and associated construction claims. The property owners’ lawyer has been advised and supports the approach.
The agreed acquisition price is $15 per square foot, and the City will cover reasonable legal fees associated with the easement acquisition.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Council was asked to approve the design of a new dwelling at 135 Empire Avenue, located in Heritage Area 3.
Staff advised that the proposed design meets the Heritage Design Standards for new buildings in Heritage Area 3 and is compatible with the requirements of the Heritage By-Law. Window sizes will be finalized during the building permit stage to ensure compliance with building and fire safety codes.
Staff also recommended that Council accept a staff report in place of a formal Heritage Report for the application.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Council approved the following road closures related to the filming of Saint Pierre:
The closures will be in effect on July 8 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Stop-and-go traffic will also be permitted on Duckworth Street as needed for filming. Emergency vehicles will have access at all times, traffic control personnel will manage the closures, and nearby residents and businesses will be notified in advance.
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 June 17 and June 24.
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Phone: 311 or 754-CITY (2489)
Email: access@stjohns.ca
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