City Council Meeting Recap: November 12, 2024
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The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on November 12, 2024, which provides an overview of Council decisions. You can also view all related documents for the decisions below, video and the full agenda from the meeting by clicking the link below.
Councillor Greg Noseworthy Sworn In
At the November 12, 2024 Council meeting, newly elected Ward 3 Councillor Greg Noseworthy was sworn in by Chief Judge Robin Fowler, Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Councillor Noseworthy won the Ward 3 By-Election held on November 5.
Strategic Plan Progress Report
A progress update was provided for Our City, Our Future, the City’s 10-year strategic plan. Throughout the year, the City provides updates to Council and the public on the progress made towards these goals.
Since the last update in June 2024, ten initiatives were completed. This brings the total number of completed initiatives since the launch of the plan in 2019 to 172. Some notable highlights include introducing housing amendments to Envision St. John's Development Regulations, developing the new Building Safer Communities Strategy and the development of a service growth strategy for public transit to respond to increased demand and help attract new customers. In addition, significant progress was reported for various capital construction projects.
A public dashboard shows real-time progress on the plan’s strategic directions and goals as well as annual initiatives.
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 November 12 meeting:
Accessory Building in the Floodplain Buffer: 8 Reddy Place |
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An application was submitted to allow a 53.3m² Accessory Building at 8 Reddy Place, partially within a Floodplain Buffer. Per Section 4.10(4)(a) of St. John's Development Regulations, Council can approve such structures in this area. Consultation with the Environmental and Sustainability Experts Panel is not required (Section 4.10(6)). A previous accessory building in the front yard has been removed. Decision: Approved Unanimously |
Parking Relief: 130 University Avenue |
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An application for a Backyard Suite at 130 University Avenue requests parking space relief. Only one space exists, and city regulations typically require one per unit. The applicant argues for relief due to nearby public transit, trails, and bike routes, and anticipates tenants, likely university students, may not need additional parking. While a Parking Report is usually required, Council can decide based on a staff report, which informs this Decision Note. Decision: Approved Unanimously |
Parking Relief: 35 Aldershot Street |
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An application for a Subsidiary Dwelling Unit at 35 Aldershot Street seeks relief from the one-parking-space-per-unit rule. The applicant cites lot size, landscaping requirements, and proximity to public transit and bike paths, making additional parking impractical. Council can base its decision on a staff report instead of a full Parking Report, as outlined in this Decision Note. Decision: Approved Unanimously |
Non-Conforming Use: 180 Hamilton Avenue |
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An application was submitted to change the non-conforming use of 180 Hamilton Avenue from a packaging facility to a cabinet-making business, both classified as Light Industrial. The 182m² business, run solely by the owner without on-site sales, will operate weekdays. Zoned Residential 3 (R3), the site needs three parking spaces but can only provide two indoors, prompting a request for parking relief. Council may accept a staff report instead of a Parking Report due to minimal expected traffic. Decision: Approved Unanimously |
Discretionary Use: 87 Codroy Place |
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An application for a home-based grief counseling business at 87 Codroy Place seeks approval as a Discretionary Use. The business, occupying 17m² and operating weekdays, will schedule one client at a time. Zoned Residential 2 (R2), it has on-street parking. Two public submissions raised concerns about the nature of counseling, parking, and neighborhood impact. The Development Regulations do not specify types of counseling, and the business's small scale aims to preserve neighborhood character. Decision: Approved Unanimously |
Discretionary Use: 430 Topsail Road |
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The Village Shopping Centre applied to build a six-story, 110-unit residential building with a parking garage at 430 Topsail Road, a Commercial Regional (CR) zone near public transport. Of the 29 public responses, most support the project for its potential to alleviate housing shortages and boost the economy, though some raised concerns about traffic, privacy, views and pedestrian safety. A traffic study found the impact manageable, and additional pedestrian and landscaping plans will be reviewed in later stages. No rezoning is required. Decision: Approved Unanimously |
Mobile Sign Approval
Council approved a mobile sign on City property in a green space fronting Churchill Square. Sign Guru proposed to install a mobile sign to promote Shoppers Drug Mart's upcoming flu shot campaign. The sign will be in place until January 31, 2025.
Fireworks By-Law Exemption
Council ratified an e-poll that was approved between council meetings, granting The Hindu Temple of St. John's permission to use fireworks outside of the City's fireworks by-law. The Hindu Temple hosted a Diwali event at their temple on November 2 and had fireworks in their parking lot between 9:30 and 10 p.m. There were no aerial fireworks display, only sparklers for the children and fountain fireworks which did not exceed 3 feet. St. John’s Regional Fire Department were in favor of this exemption and completed and approved a site visit.
Special Events Regulatory Committee
Council approved road closures put forward by the Special Events Regulatory Committee for the following events:
- Downtown St. John's Christmas Parade: November 24
- Goulds Lions Club Christmas Parade: December 1
- Holiday Lights at Bowring Park: December 7
Details on the road closures can be found in the decision note. An advisory will also be issued for all road closures prior to the event through the City's website to email subscribers and posted on social media.
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George Street Association New Year's Eve Event
Council approved in-kind support to the George Street Association for parking enforcement staff to implement the road closure associated with the George Street New Year's Eve event.
Travel Authorization
Council approved travel for Councillor Sandy Hickman to attend the 2025 Canadian Capital Cities Winter Meeting in Ottawa, Ontario, January 27 to 29, 2025.
Proclamations
The below proclamations took place at the meeting. All proclamations are also shared on our website.
National Child Day 2024
Mayor Breen was joined by Leslie Foran, Coordinator Children’s Program, Recreation Division, City of St. John’s; Onashe (Pearl) Oghenekeevwe, and Caci Ebsary to proclaim November 12, 2024 as National Child Day 2024. Pearl and Caci had the opportunity to ask the Mayor a question. The City is hosting several events for National Child Day. Check out the schedule on our webpage.
National Housing Day 2024
Mayor Breen was joined by Meghan Hollett, affordable housing and development facilitator, and affordable housing working group member, Brian Butt, to proclaim November 22, 2024 as National Housing Day. Each year the City of St. John's hosts a forum to speak about important topics around housing in recognition of National Housing Day. This year's forum on November 29 will focus on shifting demographics with a spotlight on immigration and international students.
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 period of October 30 to November 6.
Tenders
A list of contracts awarded from October 9 to November 6 was shared for Council’s information.
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