Council was asked to consider approval of a Crown Land Lease application for approximately 36.11 hectares on Power’s Road. The property is zoned Agriculture (AG), and the proposed use of forage production is permitted within the zone.
A significant waterway and a small wetland are located on the property. If the lease is approved, the property boundary may need to be adjusted to exclude the waterway, otherwise the applicant may be required to complete a floodplain delineation and wetland study. Access to the property will also need to be reviewed by the Provincial Government.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
City Council Meeting Recap - September 8, 2026
The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on September 8, 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:
Crown Land Lease: Power's Road
Request for Parking Relief: 420 Logy Bay Road
Council was asked to consider a request for parking relief for six parking spaces at 420 Logy Bay Road. The request is related to the installation of a new fence around the existing warehouse storage area, which will remove six of the site's ten required parking spaces.
The applicant is proposing to retain four on-site parking spaces and has indicated that additional parking is available on an adjacent property under the same ownership. The applicant also noted that only four employees work at the warehouse. Under the Development Regulations, Council may require a Parking Report for changes to parking requirements, but may instead consider the staff report if it determines that a Parking Report is not necessary.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Discretionary Use: 1 Ryan Street
Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application for a home-based bakery at 1 Ryan Street. The proposed bakery would occupy approximately 24.4 square metres of the home and operate Thursday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The business would not have a storefront, with customers picking up pre-ordered items by appointment to help prevent traffic congestion. Both on-street and off-street parking are available. The property is zoned Residential 1 (R1), and four public submissions were received in support of the application.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Discretionary Use: 37 Elizabeth Avenue
Council was asked to consider a Discretionary Use application from Jumping Bean at 37 Elizabeth Avenue for an outdoor eating area associated with the existing restaurant. The proposed outdoor patio would be approximately 38.5 square metres and operate daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Six public submissions were received, with three in support and three seeking clarification about parking lot access, traffic, hours of operation, and potential noise. The outdoor eating area has been in place since 2022, and no building expansion, enclosure, or outdoor speakers are proposed. Existing parking meets the City's requirements, and no changes to the parking lot are included in the application, although Transportation Engineering staff will follow up with the property owner regarding signage.
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:
Amendment Adoption: 125 Southlands Boulevard
Council was asked to adopt Municipal Plan Amendment No. 23, 2026 and Development Regulations Amendment No. 83, 2026 for 125 Southlands Boulevard, and proceed to a public hearing. The proposed amendments would re-designate and rezone most of the property from Commercial Regional (CR) to Residential 2 (R2) to allow a residential subdivision with 86 semi-detached homes, while retaining a portion of the site for commercial uses.
The amendments have been reviewed and released by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs following public notification and consultation. If adopted, a public hearing is tentatively scheduled for October 7, 2026, with planner Cliff Johnston recommended as the hearing commissioner. Following the hearing, the amendments will return to Council for final consideration.
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:
Mural Festival in Heritage Areas 2026
Council was asked to consider approval of a proposed Mural Festival in September 2026, which would see five new murals painted on building walls in Heritage Areas 1 and 2 downtown. The project, led by Rebels at the Walls, aims to beautify the downtown area while showcasing Newfoundland culture, folklore and music.
The final mural locations will be confirmed with property owners. Under the City’s Sign By-Law, murals are classified as signs and therefore require Council approval. The Built Heritage Experts Panel reviewed the proposal, with a majority recommending approval. The murals would be painted on existing painted masonry or metal surfaces, and staff support the panel’s recommendation.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Street Name: Warbler Street
Council was asked to approve the name of a new street in the proposed Kenmount Road Stage 1C residential subdivision. The new street will connect Henry Larsen Street and Leonard J. Crowley Street.
The name Warbler Street has been selected from the City’s Reserved Street Name Inventory. All names in the inventory have been reviewed by the Inclusion Advisory Committee and approved by the St. John’s Regional Fire Department. Final approval of new street names is subject to Council approval under the City’s Street Naming and Civic Addressing Procedures.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Appointments: Affordable Housing Working Group
Council was asked to approve the appointment of new members to the Affordable Housing Working Group (AHWG), which provides advice to Council on housing-related policies, strategies and the implementation of the City’s 10-year Affordable Housing Strategy.
Following a change to the AHWG Terms of Reference to include a Federal Crown Corporation representative, staff recommended appointing Heather Chisholm of Canada Lands Company to the group. Council was also asked to approve the appointment of David Tilley of Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and Abigail Sheppard of End Homelessness St. John’s as organizational representatives on the working group.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Easement to Access 2A Outer Battery Road
Council was asked to approve an easement on Outer Battery Road to provide access to the property at 2A Outer Battery Road. While the property owner initially requested to purchase the land, City staff determined that an easement is required due to the presence of a retaining wall and a storm sewer pipe within the area.
The proposed easement area is approximately 1,876 square feet. The acquisition price has been set at $5 per square foot, plus HST and administrative fees, resulting in an estimated cost of approximately $9,380 plus HST. The property owner will be responsible for completing a survey of the area.
Decision: Motion carried unanimously.
Special Events Regulatory Committee
Council was asked to approve road closures for the following events in September:
Hudson and Rex
- Date: September 16
- Time: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Road Closure: Campbell Avenue, between Mount Pleasant Avenue and Cashin Avenue
- Traffic control will be provided by AWP Traffic Control, with local traffic, emergency vehicles and Metrobus maintaining access.
Saint Pierre
- Date: September 21
- Time: 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Road Closures:
- York Street, from Wood Street to Cochrane Street
- Wood Street, from Duckworth Street to Gower Street
- Traffic control will be provided by AWP Traffic Control, with local traffic and emergency vehicles maintaining access.
Howley Avenue Extension Block Party
- Date: September 19 (rain date September 26)
- Time: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Road Closure: Howley Avenue Extension, between Aldershot Street and Mayor Avenue
- Volunteers will manage barricades, and local vehicle and emergency access will be maintained.
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 August 26 and September 2.
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