City Council Meeting Recap: May 19, 2026

- May 22, 2026

The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on May 19, 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 consider a change of Non-Conforming Use at 622 Empire Avenue to allow a small bakery (3.7 m²) within an existing convenience store, with daily hours from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., noting limited public feedback and that the new use requires approval despite being within the existing space.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Council was asked to consider a change of Non-Conforming Use at 3 Blackmarsh Road to convert an existing retail space to an African grocery store (297 m²), operating daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., including a request for parking relief of three spaces with one public submission in support.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Council was asked to set zone standards for a new lot at 101 Torbay Road following a proposed subdivision to create a separate parcel fronting Tiffany Lane, with minimum lot size and frontage established in advance of any future development, and updated standards also defined for the remaining institutional property.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application at 60 O’Leary Avenue to allow a retail use (325 m²) with weekday and Saturday hours, noting on-site parking is provided and no public submissions were received.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Council was asked to consider issuing a Demolition Order for 206 Mundy Pond Road due to severe fire damage that has made the building unsafe, ongoing noncompliance with orders, and lack of action by the property’s estate or occupant despite formal notice.
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 application was reviewed at the meeting:

View Video of Planning Applications Discussion

Council was asked to adopt an amendment to the Development Regulations to reduce the minimum separation distance for heavy equipment storage from residential zones from 20 metres to 15 metres, enabling a proposed use at 280 Back Line while noting public concerns about impacts such as noise, environmental effects, and visual impacts.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously. Councillor Earle abstained.

Amendment to the Residential Property Standards By-Law

Council was asked to amend the Residential Property Standards Bylaw to allow inspectors to post Deficiency Notices on a property or at the owner’s last known address when registered mail or personal service is impractical, helping ensure owners receive notice and can address issues before enforcement.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Affordable Housing Working Group Terms of Reference

Council was asked to approve an amendment to the Affordable Housing Working Group Terms of Reference to add a Federal Crown Corporation as a potential member, following a unanimous recommendation from the group. 
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Travel Authorization

Council approved costs for the Mayor to attend the Atlantic Mayors’ Congress in Truro, Nova Scotia from June 18–20, 2026, a regional forum for municipal collaboration and advocacy.

Exterior Renovations: 197-199 Water Street

Council was asked to approve exterior renovations to the heritage-designated Commercial Chambers building at 197–199 Water Street, involving façade repairs and maintenance that preserve its original character and meet heritage design standards.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Naming of New Street in Southlands

Council was asked to approve the street name “Crosswinds Place” for a new subdivision off Diamond Marsh Drive, selected from the City’s approved naming inventory and vetted through standard review processes.

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 May 6 and May 13.

Tenders

A list of contracts awarded from April 14 to May 11 was shared for Council’s information.

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