The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on November 18, 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 an existing painted wall sign on a retaining wall at 54 Circular Road (Bannerman House), a designated Heritage Building. The sign is larger than what the Sign By-Law permits and is therefore non-conforming. It also includes third-party advertising, which is prohibited in Heritage Areas.
The Built Heritage Experts Panel reviewed the application on October 29, 2025, and recommended that Council approve the oversized wall sign but require removal of the third-party signage. Staff support this recommendation.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
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:
Proposed Accessory Building and Fence in the Floodplain Buffer: 34 Serpentine Street
Council was asked to approve a new 35 m² accessory building and fence at 34 Serpentine Street. The structure will replace an existing building, and part of the property is within the Floodplain Buffer. Under Section 4.10 of the St. John’s Development Regulations, Council may allow these residential structures in the buffer, and consultation with the Environmental and Sustainability Experts Panel is not required.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
Extension to a Single Detached Dwelling in the Watershed: 669 Thorburn Road
Council was asked reject a proposed extension to a Single Detached Dwelling at 669 Thorburn Road, located in the protected Broad Cove River Watershed. The dwelling is an existing non-conforming use in the Watershed Zone.
Under the City of St. John’s Act, extensions to existing dwellings in the watershed are permitted only if they are necessary for the household and do not exceed half the cubic content of the current dwelling. The existing home is approximately 435.67 m³, while the proposed extension is 318.78 m³—well beyond the allowable limit.
The application was reviewed by the City Manager, who confirmed that the proposal significantly exceeds what the Act permits.
Decision: 8 voted to reject, Councillor Halley and Davis voted against rejecting the application.
Request for Parking Relief: 4 Curtis Place
Council was asked to approve parking relief for one parking space at 4 Curtis Place to allow an additional Subsidiary Dwelling Unit under the Housing Accelerator Fund. The property currently has two parking spaces for its two existing units, and the applicant is seeking relief from providing a third. The request is supported by the site’s proximity to transit and amenities, as well as the ability to accommodate up to four vehicles using stacked parking. Under the Development Regulations, Council may rely on a staff report rather than require a full Parking Report for this request.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
Discretionary Use: 204-206 Main Road
Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application from Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial Services Inc. for a Service Shop at 204-206 Main Road. The business would provide pet aquamation services in a 471 m² space, operating weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site is zoned Rural Residential Infill (RR1), and two public submissions were received, both in support.
The applicant is requesting parking relief. Thirteen parking spaces are required under the Development Regulations, but only four are provided. The applicant notes that services are by appointment only, clients arrive one at a time, and only two staff vehicles are expected on site. As the request does not warrant a full Parking Report under Section 8.12, Council may accept a staff report instead.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
Discretionary Use: 25 Rosalind Street
Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application from GeoMaterials NL Consultants Inc. for a Home Occupation at 25 Rosalind Street. The proposal is for a small consulting engineering office (33 m²), operating Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no client visits and adequate off-street parking. The use meets all Development Regulations for a Home Occupation, the property is zoned Residential 1 (R1), and no public submissions were received.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
Discretionary Use: 285 Southern Shore Highway
Council was asked to reject a Discretionary Use application for an Accessory Building at 285 Southern Shore Highway, located in the Watershed Zone. The proposed building is approximately 53.3 m², and all uses in this zone require Council approval. While Council has historically permitted one Accessory Building per lot for longstanding residential uses, this property already has an existing accessory building. This one-per-lot standard aligns with the City of St. John’s Act and longstanding practice in protected and non-protected watersheds. No public submissions were received.
Decision: 8 voted to reject, Councillor Hammond and Earle voted against rejecting application.
Discretionary Use: 147 Southern Shore Highway
Council was asked to reject a Discretionary Use application for clearing and grubbing at 147 Southern Shore Highway, a 3901 m² property in the Watershed Zone. Six public submissions raised concerns about future development, impacts on drinking water, clearcutting, flooding, and local ecosystems.
The applicant is seeking approval only to clear the land at this time, noting that any future proposal—such as a Dwelling—would require a new discretionary use application.
The Regional Water division advised that the property lies within the Bay Bulls Big Pond watershed, a major drinking water source for multiple municipalities. They cautioned that full site clearing would increase erosion, sedimentation, and runoff, degrading water quality and elevating the risk of contamination within this protected watershed.
Decision: Approved rejection of the application unanimously
An information note was presented to Council regarding the interpretation and adjustment of zone lines for 625 Southlands Boulevard, at the northern end of the Southlands residential development, based on updated property and floodplain maps. The property includes 63.7 hectares of land with streams in the South Brook/Waterford River system and is currently zoned Residential 1 (R1) with Open Space (O) along waterways and a small strip of Comprehensive Development Area 8 (CDA-8) at the northern boundary.
Updated mapping and surveys revealed that the CDA-8 strip was left in error from previous rezoning. The Chief Municipal Planner recommended:
Removing the CDA-8 designation and replacing it with R1 or O as appropriate.
Adjusting the R1 and O zone boundaries to align with the newly calculated 1:100-year floodplains of the streams.
These changes will also be reflected in the future land-use map of the Envision St. John’s Municipal Plan, affecting the Residential, Open Space, and Urban Expansion Districts.
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-polls at the meeting:
Council was asked to approve several temporary road closures. These include:
Traffic control will be provided, local and emergency traffic will be allowed, and nearby businesses will be notified. All closures aim to support event safety while maintaining necessary access where possible.
Council was notified that at the next Regular Meeting, a motion will be made to adopt the new Residential Property Standards By-Law to update standards for residential property maintenance.
Council was asked to approve the 2025 Art Procurement jury’s recommendation to purchase artwork for the Civic Art Collection. This year, 247 pieces from 96 artists were submitted. The jury, composed of visual arts experts, met on November 12, 2025, and selected 26 pieces for purchase, totaling $19,936 from the $20,000 budget. Nineteen of the selected artists are new to the City’s collection. Upon approval, agreements will be signed, and the artworks will be catalogued and added to the Civic Art Collection for display in City buildings and public exhibitions.
Decision: 10 approved, Councillor Bruce abstained.
Council was asked to approve a Mobile Sign on City property in the green space fronting Churchill Square. Curbex Media proposes the sign to promote businesses at Churchill Square, including TSL Physio and Robyn King, Natural Health Practitioner. Mobile sign permits are valid for six months and may be renewed. The proposed sign meets all requirements of the Mobile Sign By-Law, and under Section 15, Council has the authority to permit signs on City property.
Concerns were raised about sign creep, as at times messaging is lost and distraction is increased due to an overabundance of signs. It was further noted that such signs are a cost-effective method for small businesses to advertise, and the approval of these signs provides support to the business community. Council agreed to have additional discussion on signage.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
Council was asked to approve sponsorship for the George Street Association’s New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31, 2025. The GSA offers three sponsorship levels: Title Sponsor ($15,000), Title Partner ($10,000), and Secondary Sponsor ($5,000). The event is non-ticketed and features entertainment and fireworks on George Street at midnight. The City currently manages road closures in the Duckworth/New Gower area for safety, at a cost of $1,300, and has previously provided a $5,000 grant to support the event.
Decision: Approved unanimously.
A list of contracts awarded from October 15 to November 12 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 November 5 and November 12.
The below proclamations took place at the meeting. All proclamations are also shared on our website.
National Housing Day 2025Mayor Breen was joined by Judy Tobin (manager, City of St. John’s Non-Profit Housing Division), Susan Walsh (housing Accelerator Fund Coordinator, City of St. John’s), Meghan Hollett (Affordable Housing & Development Facilitator, City of St. John’s) and Jennifer Tarrant (director, social well-being, prevention & early intervention, Department of Social Supports & Well-Being, Government of NL) to proclaim November 18 as National Housing Day 2025.
Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025Mayor Breen was joined by Scott Andrews (Futurpreneur), Bruce Lilly (Executive Director, Ukrainian National Federation of Canada Avalon Branch), Taras Ivanina (Employment and Partnerships Lead, Ukrainian National Federation of Canada Avalon Branch), Sofiia Dubyk (Ukrainian National Federation of Canada Avalon Branch), and Wendy Mugford (Business and Research Officer, City of St. John's) to proclaim November 17-23 as Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025.
Contact Us
City Hall
10 New Gower Street, St. John's, NL
P.O. Box 908, St. John's, A1C 5M2
Phone: 311 or 754-CITY (2489)
Email: access@stjohns.ca
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