City Council Meeting Recap: September 23, 2025

- Sep 26, 2025

The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on September 23, 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

Adoption in Principle

Cowan Heights Neighbourhood Plan

Council was asked to adopt-in-principle the Cowan Heights Neighbourhood Plan and direct staff to prepare the necessary Municipal Plan and Development Regulations amendments.

The plan, part of the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund commitments, is the first neighbourhood plan for this area and was developed through consultations in 2024–2025. It sets out seven strategies to guide growth:

  1. Transit-oriented redevelopment at Topsail Road/Columbus Drive.

  2. Urban housing expansion along Blackmarsh Road and Frecker Drive.

  3. Park and trail upgrades at Kitty Gaul Park, Cowan Park, and trail networks.

  4. Increased residential density with gradual transitions and community hub re-activation.

  5. A “gentle density” corridor along Topsail Road.

  6. Neighbourhood mixed-use areas at Captain Whelan Drive, Cowan Avenue, and Burgeo Street.

  7. Retrofits of tot lots for broader recreation use.

If adopted in principle, staff will prepare amendments, notify affected property owners, and provide opportunities for public input before Council approval and final registration.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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University Area Neighbourhood Plan

Council was asked to adopt-in-principle the University Area Neighbourhood Plan and direct staff to prepare the necessary Municipal Plan and Development Regulations amendments.

Developed through consultations in 2024–2025, this is the first neighbourhood plan for the area and aligns with the City’s Housing Accelerator Fund commitments. The plan outlines six strategies to guide growth:

  1. Establishing an Emerging Neighbourhood Centre at Paton Street, Anderson Avenue, and Elizabeth Avenue.

  2. Supporting focused central growth with higher densities along Elizabeth Avenue, Newtown Road, and NLHC-owned properties.

  3. Redeveloping Freshwater Road into mixed-use centres.

  4. Reinforcing Rabbittown’s historic neighbourhood commercial character.

  5. Improving park connections and enhancements between Rabbittown, Kelly’s Brook Park, and Pippy Park.

  6. Expanding shared-use paths to create a safe, connected active transportation network.

If adopted in principle, staff will prepare amendments, notify affected property owners, and provide opportunities for public input before Council approval and final registration.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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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:

Council was asked to approve parking relief for a Training School for religious teaching and music lessons at 37 O’Leary Avenue. The building requires 75 parking spaces under regulations but has only 58, leaving a shortfall of 17. The applicant is requesting relief for these 17 spaces, noting that the Training School will operate outside the hours of existing businesses. Staff advise that a Parking Report is not necessary and present this matter for Council’s decision.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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Council was asked to approve a 44.65m² accessory building at 44 Gallipoli Street, part of which is within the Floodplain Buffer. Under the Development Regulations, Council may permit such development, and consultation with the Environmental and Sustainability Experts Panel is not required.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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Council was asked to approve a 61.32m² accessory building at 12 Forest Pond Road (now 11 Hennessey’s Line) in the Floodplain Buffer. The rear yard lies within the Floodplain and Buffer and under the Development Regulations, Council may permit this development. Consultation with the Environmental and Sustainability Experts Panel is not required.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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Council was asked to approve a Backyard Suite under the Housing Accelerator Fund program at 137 Higgins Line. One parking space is required but unavailable, as the property already accommodates two spaces for existing units. The applicant requests relief for one parking space, citing nearby bus routes. Staff recommend Council consider this request without requiring a Parking Report.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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Council was asked to approve an application from Birhane Shop Inc. to extend the restaurant hours at 279 Portugal Cove Road from 8 a.m.–8 p.m. to 8 a.m.–12 a.m., seven days a week. The 123m² restaurant has on-site parking, is located in the Commercial Neighbourhood Zone, and no public submissions were received.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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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 applications were reviewed at the meeting:

Council was asked to consider a text amendment to the Envision St. John’s Development Regulations to allow office use at 135 Harbour Drive, within the Industrial General (IG) Zone.

MacGillivray Properties, on behalf of the St. John’s Port Authority, applied for this change since office use is not currently listed in the IG Zone. While historically limited to industrial uses, consultation during the Downtown Plan process highlighted the need for sectors like ocean technology to locate near the waterfront without being strictly industrial.

The proposed amendment would add “Office” as a Discretionary Use in the IG Zone, giving Council flexibility to assess suitability case by case. For 135 Harbour Drive, the use is considered appropriate given its Port Authority ownership and proximity to restaurants. If Council proceeds, both the amendment and the Discretionary Use application will be advertised.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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Council was asked to approve revised terms of reference for the Land Use Report (LUR) for a proposed 72-unit residential development at 18 Mount Cashel Road. Originally, a traffic study was not required, but following resident concerns and Council’s August 26, 2025 resolution, the LUR must now include a Transportation Impact Assessment. The study will analyze traffic volumes, cumulative impacts of nearby facilities and developments, intersection performance, pedestrian safety, shortcutting, and possible mitigation measures, with input from residents. If approved, the applicant will submit the revised LUR, after which the application will move to public consultation.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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2025 Heritage Financial Incentives Program

Council was asked to approve 13 eligible applications for the 2025 Heritage Financial Incentives Program, subject to program standards and heritage/building requirements.

Out of 15 applications received, two were incomplete. The approved applications total $3,580.86 for Heritage Maintenance Grants (within the $10,000 budget) and $36,561.13 for Heritage Conservation Grants (within the $50,000 budget). The Built Heritage Experts Panel recommended approval, and staff support this recommendation.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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New Building in a Heritage Area: 35 Gilbert Street

Council was asked to approve the design of new townhouses at 35 Gilbert Street, located in Heritage Area 3. The proposal complies with the Envision St. John’s Municipal Plan, the Residential Downtown zoning, and the Heritage By-Law design standards. Window sizes will be finalized at the building-permit stage to meet safety codes. While a heritage report is normally required, staff recommend Council accept this staff report instead, as the design meets all heritage standards.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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Membership: Sustainable and Active Mobility Advisory Committee

Council was asked to approved the appointment of Otis Crandell to fill a vacancy on the Sustainable and Active Mobility Advisory Committee (SAMAC). The committee advises Council on active and sustainable mobility issues. A call for members in June 2025 sought cycling representatives and received 13 applications.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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Cost Sharing Health Insurance for Council Members

Council was asked to approve a change so that new Councillors will share health insurance premiums 50/50 with the City, matching the cost-sharing model for new employees since 2007. Current Councillors will be grandfathered under the existing arrangement, where the City pays 95% and Councillors pay 5%.

Decision: Approved unanimously.

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Tenders

A list of contracts awarded from August 20 to September 17 was shared for Council’s information.

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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 10 and September 17.

Proclamations

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

View Proclamations for September 2025

Lisa Roberts: Regional Lactation Consultant, NL Health Services and Tracy English: Regional Nutritionist, NL Health ServicesNational Breastfeeding Week 2025Mayor Breen was joined by Lisa Roberts: Regional Lactation Consultant, NL Health Services and Tracy English: Regional Nutritionist, NL Health Services to proclaim October 1-7 as National Breastfeeding Week 2025.Keith Bessey: Municipal Arborist, City of St. John’sNational Tree DayMayor Breen was joined by Keith Bessey: Municipal Arborist, City of St. John’s to proclaim September 24 as National Tree Day.Shelley Pardy, Supervisor, Waste Diversion, City of St. John’s and Edmundo Fausto: Manager of Sustainability, City of St. John’sCircular Economy MonthMayor Breen was joined by Shelley Pardy, Supervisor, Waste Diversion, City of St. John’s and Edmundo Fausto: Manager of Sustainability, City of St. John’s to proclaim October as Circular Economy Month.
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