City Council Meeting Recap - October 6, 2026

- Oct 09, 2026

The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on October 6, 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 rejecting a Discretionary Use application from 100745 Newfoundland & Labrador Corp. to operate a Place of Amusement at 351-361 Kenmount Road. The proposed indoor playground, adventure park, and recreation facility would occupy approximately 1,250 m² and accommodate up to 150 to 200 people. Four public submissions were received, all in support of the proposal.

The primary issue is parking. The Development Regulations require 90 parking spaces for the proposed use, but only 54 spaces are available to the tenant, resulting in a shortfall of 36 spaces. While the applicant cited scheduled admissions, reservations, staff carpooling, transit access, and occupancy monitoring as measures to reduce parking demand, staff noted that similar facilities often generate significant parking pressures. Given the lack of nearby parking alternatives, the prohibition on parking along Kenmount Road, and insufficient on-site parking, staff do not recommend granting parking relief.

Following Council's deferral of the application, the applicant explored options for additional parking but was unable to secure agreements with neighbouring properties. The owner also determined that constructing additional parking on site is not feasible at this time.


Decision: Rejection approved. Mayor Breen, Deputy Mayor Ellsworth, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Bruce, Councillor Halley, and Councillor Earle voted in favour of the rejection. Councillor Cadigan, Councillor Hammond, Councillor Ryall, and Councillor Noseworthy voted against. Councillor Davis abstained.

Council was asked to approve the replacement of a deteriorating culvert in the floodplain and floodplain buffer near 28 Stavanger Drive. The project includes removing the existing culvert and installing a new concrete box culvert designed to accommodate 100-year climate change storm flows, along with stream bed improvements for erosion protection and fish passage. The application was reviewed by the City’s Environmental and Sustainability Experts Panel, which had no concerns with the proposed work.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Council was asked to establish zone standards and parking requirements for an Institutional Use at 47 Janeway Place to facilitate the addition of eight new dwelling units. The application requires Council to set discretionary rear and side yard setbacks of 9 metres and 2.4 metres, respectively, while all other standards remain unchanged. Council was also asked to establish a parking requirement of 19 spaces, matching the number of existing spaces on-site and meeting the needs of the proposed development.


Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Council was asked to consider rejecting a Discretionary Use application at 1 Queen Street to convert the ground floor commercial space into a single residential dwelling unit. While residential development is permitted as a discretionary use in the Commercial Downtown Zone, staff recommended refusing the application, noting that the conversion would remove commercial space in a key downtown commercial area and is not compatible with surrounding uses. No public submissions were received.

Decision: Staff recommended rejecting the Discretionary Use Application to allow a residential dwelling on the 1st floor of that location, but Council voted against that motion 4 to 7 and then moved a new motion to approve the Discretionary Use application for a residential dwelling. The second motion passed 8-3.

Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application at 148 Duckworth Street for a craft brewery/distillery, including a tasting room, restaurant and retail sales components. The proposed operation would occupy approximately 368 m² and operate daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Of seven public submissions received, five supported the proposal, while concerns focused on noise, odour and parking. The applicant advised that brewing would generate a temporary grain-like odour during production, while the distillation process is largely closed and expected to produce little odour.


Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application for a home-based hair salon at 60 Barachois Street. The proposed salon would occupy approximately 12.1 m² of the residence and operate by appointment only. One public submission raised concerns about parking and traffic; however, the applicant advised that appointments would be scheduled to minimize parking impacts, and on-street parking is available along Barachois Street.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Council was asked to consider the demolition, rebuild and expansion of an existing non-conforming accessory building at 400 Blackhead Road. Because the property does not front onto a public street, new development is generally not permitted; however, Council may allow the replacement and expansion of an existing structure under the Development Regulations. The proposal would replace the current building and increase its size to 61 m² while remaining in the same location.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Planning Applications

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 Envision St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment No. 87, 2026, which would clarify landscaping requirements for townhouse developments in the Residential 3 (R3) Zone. The amendment would require at least 45% front yard landscaping for townhouse lots within the Downtown Snow Removal Area when the building is set back from the street, while maintaining the exemption for townhouse lots with a 0-metre building line. The change is intended to ensure adequate space for snow storage on properties with driveways and front yards. Public consultation generated two responses, and the amendment received both support and mixed feedback. If adopted, it will be forwarded to the provincial government for registration.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Council was asked to adopt Envision St. John’s Development Regulations Amendment No. 86, 2026, which would update the definition of a dwelling unit to create a consistent standard across City divisions. The proposed definition would clarify that a dwelling unit does not need to be occupied and would specify that it must contain sleeping facilities, a washroom with a toilet, sink and tub and/or shower, and a kitchen with a sink, refrigerator, and conventional stove or cooktop and wall oven. Public feedback was largely mixed or opposed, with concerns raised about potential impacts on taxation, rental units, and the narrow definition of kitchen facilities. If approved, the amendment will be forwarded to the provincial government for registration.

Decision: Motion deferred unanimously.

Wetland Study Phase 2B

Council was asked to review and adopt the Wetland Study Phase 2B, which assessed 30 wetlands in areas of development interest across the city using standardized ecological and functional criteria. The study identified 13 wetlands for full protection based on Council-approved scoring thresholds, while 14 others will receive partial protection because they are located within protected floodplains. Two sites were determined to be manmade and not wetlands, and one wetland was found to be unprotected. Adoption of the study will guide future wetland protection decisions and require amendments to the Development Regulations to update wetland and waterway mapping.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Wall Sign: 40 Quidi Vidi Road

Council was asked to consider approval of a non-conforming halo-lit wall sign at 40 Quidi Vidi Road, the new headquarters of First Light, within Heritage Area 3. The proposed sign exceeds the maximum size permitted under the Sign By-Law, measuring approximately 5 m² rather than the permitted 3 m². Staff recommended approval because the sign is consistent with the design previously approved by Council as part of the redevelopment of the former St. Joseph’s Church site, and the Built Heritage Experts Panel may support non-conforming signs in heritage areas where appropriate.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Procurement Policy and Supplier Performance Management Procedures

Council was asked to review a revised Procurement Policy and new Supplier Performance Management Procedures designed to strengthen and standardize how the City evaluates and manages supplier performance. The procedures establish a framework for performance evaluations, supplier communications, appeals, progressive discipline and the potential suspension of bidding privileges. Following a one-year pilot program and subsequent policy updates incorporating operational and legal feedback, Council was asked to approve the revised Procurement Policy and formally adopt the new procedures as part of the City’s procurement framework.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Special Events Regulatory Committee

Council was asked to approve a noise by-law exemption for the George Street Mardi Gras event on October 31 and a fireworks by-law exemption for Diwali celebrations at the Hindu Temple of St. John’s on November 14. The George Street Association requested permission for amplified music until midnight during its outdoor costume party and DJ event. The Hindu Temple requested permission to use sparklers and small fountain-style fireworks during its Diwali celebration, a request supported by the St. John’s Regional Fire Department following a site review.

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 September 23 and September 29.

Proclamations

The below proclamations took place at the meeting. All proclamations are also shared on our website.

Mayor Breen and NLCU Representatives

Mayor Breen was joined by Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union representatives to proclaim October 15, 2026 as International Credit Union Day.

Mayor Danny Breen and Matt Hatcher

Mayor Breen was joined by Matt Hatcher of Newfoundland Power to proclaim October 2026 as Energy Efficiency Month. 

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