Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application for a home-based massage therapy clinic at 19 Allandale Rd. The proposed clinic would occupy approximately 39 m² of the home and operate by appointment only during daytime and evening hours throughout the week.
Five public submissions were received, including two in support and three expressing concerns about introducing a commercial use in a residential neighbourhood, traffic, and parking. Staff noted that parking is available both on-site and on the street, with additional capacity in the applicant's driveway during business hours. Staff also indicated there are no traffic concerns in the area and that Home Occupation regulations are intended to keep businesses small-scale and compatible with the residential character of the neighbourhood.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
City Council Meeting Recap: September 22, 2026
The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on September 22, 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
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: 19 Allandale Road
Change of Non-Conforming Use: 626-628 Southside Road
Council was asked to consider a change of Non-Conforming Use application for 626-628 Southside Rd. The proposal would change the existing business from a retail and deli (takeout) to a retail bakery, while maintaining the same floor area of approximately 93 m² on the ground floor.
Two public submissions were received, including one in support and one expressing concerns about parking. Staff noted that on-street parking is available and that no recent parking-related complaints have been received regarding the previous use. The proposed business would also operate longer hours than those approved for the existing use.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Discretionary Use: 14 McKay Street
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Discretionary Use: 351-361 Kenmount Road
Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application by 100745 Newfoundland & Labrador Corp. for 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 operate daily, with extended hours on weekends and holidays. The site is zoned Commercial Highway (CH), and four public submissions were received in support of the proposal.
However, the development would require parking relief for 36 spaces, as 90 spaces are required under the Development Regulations and only 54 are available for the use. While the applicant cited scheduled admissions, transit access and occupancy monitoring as reasons for the reduced parking demand, staff noted that similar facilities often generate significant parking demand and that there are limited alternative parking options nearby. As a result, parking relief is not recommended.
Decision: Motion deferred for 2 weeks. 8 voted in favour of a deferral, Councillor Bruce voted against, and Councillor Davis abstained.
Discretionary Use: 30-44 Ropewalk Lane
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Council was asked to consider approval for the reconstruction of a single detached dwelling and an accessory building at 861-867 Thorburn Road in the protected Broad Cove River Watershed. A dwelling and barn previously existed on the property, and evidence remains that the former structures have been removed and are now beyond 50 per cent dilapidated, allowing Council to consider a replacement dwelling under the City of St. John’s Act. The proposed dwelling would be less than 50 per cent larger than the original structure.
The proposed accessory building also meets watershed requirements, with a floor area of 44.6 m² and a height of 3.9 metres, both within permitted limits. The application was reviewed by the City Manager, who raised no concerns with the proposal.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Proposed Rebuild of Non-Conforming Deck: 30 Crocker’s Road
Council was asked to consider approval to demolish and rebuild an existing 8' x 10' deck at 30 Crocker’s Road. The replacement deck would be the same size and located in the same position as the existing structure.
The property is largely within a Floodplain, and the deck is considered a non-conforming structure because this type of development is not permitted in the Floodplain zone. Under the Development Regulations, changes to a non-conforming structure require Council approval. No additional excavation is proposed as part of the project.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Request for Extension of Development Approval: 259 Blackmarsh Road
Council was asked to consider a one-year extension of final development approval for 259 Blackmarsh Road. Approval was originally granted on October 8, 2024, for a gas station, two eating establishments and associated drive-throughs, and is set to expire on October 8, 2026.
The applicant has requested a one-year extension, which Council may grant under the Development Regulations. If approved, the new expiry date for the final development approval would be October 8, 2027.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Council was asked to consider approval to rebuild a single detached dwelling at 48 Healey’s Pond Crescent in the protected Broad Cove River Watershed after the original home was destroyed by fire.
Under the City of St. John’s Act, Council may permit the replacement of a building destroyed by fire, subject to a recommendation from the City Manager. The applicant proposes to rebuild a dwelling with the same footprint and floor area as the previous home. The application was reviewed by the City Manager, who raised no concerns with the proposal.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Ratification of E-Poll
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-poll at the meeting:
Quit Claim: 290 Anspach Street
Council was asked to consider approving a Quit Claim Deed to release any remaining City interest in a former laneway known as Mercer’s Lane adjacent to 290 Anspach Street.
The property owners are in the process of selling their home, and a title search identified the long-abandoned laneway. Although the laneway was previously acquired from the City by the area developer and the City has issued Quit Claim Deeds for most affected properties over the years, 290 Anspach Street has not yet received one. The property owner’s lawyer has requested that the City provide a Quit Claim Deed to clear any remaining interest the City may hold in the former laneway.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Rennie's River, Central and Mundy Pond Neighbourhood Plans: Final
Council was asked to adopt-in-principle the Rennie’s River Neighbourhood Plan and the Central and Mundy Pond Neighbourhood Plan, and direct staff to prepare the necessary Municipal Plan and Development Regulations amendments.
The draft neighbourhood plans were completed by O2 Planning and Design Inc. following public consultation in 2025 and 2026 and were funded through CMHC’s Housing Accelerator Fund.
Rennie’s River Neighbourhood Plan
The plan focuses on:
- Supporting new mixed-use and residential development around Torbay Road, Macdonald Drive and Kenny’s Pond.
- Transforming Elizabeth Avenue into a more walkable mixed-use corridor.
- Improving Rennie’s River Trail, parks, accessibility and wayfinding.
- Strengthening Churchill Square as a neighbourhood hub.
- Supporting heritage preservation, tourism, commercial activity and medium-density housing in Georgestown and the Ecclesiastical District.
Central and Mundy Pond Neighbourhood Plan
The plan focuses on:
- Encouraging mixed-use and residential growth along LeMarchant Road, Ropewalk Lane and Adams Avenue.
- Supporting redevelopment opportunities, including brownfield sites near Empire Avenue.
- Encouraging business growth in key employment areas.
- Enhancing mixed-use hubs along Cookstown Road, Freshwater Road and Water Street West.
- Enabling higher-density housing in select areas.
- Improving parks and open spaces to increase accessibility and year-round use.
If Council adopts the plans in principle, staff will prepare the required planning amendments, notify affected property owners, and provide opportunities for public input through a commissioner’s public hearing before proceeding through the remaining approval and provincial registration process.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Ratification of Collective Agreement and General Wage Increases
Council was asked to ratify the negotiated collective agreement between the City of St. John’s and CUPE Local 1289.
The City and CUPE Local 1289 reached a tentative four-year collective agreement covering the period from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2030. The agreement was ratified by the union on September 15, 2026.
In addition to several language changes intended to improve operational efficiency, the agreement includes general wage increases of 4% in the first year, followed by 2.25%, 3.25%, and 3.5% over the remaining three years.
Council was also asked to approve applying the same general wage increases negotiated with CUPE Local 1289 to management, executive staff and members of Council.
Decision: 8 voted in favour. Councillors Halley and Davis voted against for both motions.
Special Events Regulatory Committee
Council was asked to approve road closures for four upcoming events: the filming of Saint Pierre (Oct. 1), the CIBC Run for the Cure (Oct. 4), the CLB Anniversary Parade (Oct. 18), and the Cape to Cabot Road Race (Oct. 18).
-
Saint Pierre filming (Oct. 1): Closure of Cochrane Street between Duckworth Street and Gower Street from approximately 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Local and emergency access will be maintained.
-
CIBC Run for the Cure (Oct. 4): Closure of the eastbound lane of Waterford Bridge Road between Park Road and Bay Bulls Road from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The westbound lane will remain open.
-
CLB Anniversary Parade (Oct. 18): The parade will travel between the CLB Armory, the Anglican Cathedral and back, with rolling road closures managed by the RNC and City Parking Services.
-
Cape to Cabot Road Race (Oct. 18): The annual race will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., requiring a series of road and lane closures from Cape Spear to downtown, including portions of Blackhead Road, Southside Road, Water Street, Duckworth Street, Temperance Street and Signal Hill Road. Resident access will be maintained where possible, with traffic managed by the RNC and volunteer marshals.
All closures have traffic management plans in place to support participant safety while maintaining emergency and local access where feasible.
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 9 and September 16.
Contracts Awarded
A list of contracts awarded between August 18-September 14 was shared for council's information.
Proclamations
The below proclamations took place at the meeting. All proclamations are also shared on our website.
Mayor Breen was joined by fire prevention officer Cara Pardy and deputy chief Ian Green to proclaim October 4-10, 2026 as Fire Prevention Week.
Mayor Breen was joined by senior municipal arborist Keith Bessey and Bruce Roberts of Tree Canada to proclaim September 23, 2026 as National Tree Day.
Stay in Touch
Sign up to receive information from the City of St. John's directly to your inbox. Check out the various categories of general news, and emergency notifications.
