City Council Meeting Recap: October 1, 2024
More
Search
Back to Search
The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on October 1, 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.
Public Electric Vehicle Charging Network Update and Funding
At last week's Committee of the Whole Meeting, council discussed the status of the City's Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations Program. The proposed expansion includes installing additional EV chargers at various community centres, parks, and downtown locations over the next three years, with a total City contribution of $340,000. Council advised staff that further discussion should be had on the definitive schedule for installation of the chargers, which can be found in the decision note. Council were asked to approve a direction for staff to pursue funding through the Natural Resources Canada Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) to support the expansion of the City’s public electric vehicle charging network.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
Lease – City Land on Williams Lane
Council were asked to approve a lease of City land on Williams Lane for the installation of propane tanks for 320 Water Street. The lease, with no objections from City departments, will be on a year-to-year basis at $75.00 + HST annually. An easement between 13 George Street and 320 Water Street, which share ownership, will be required to secure rights to the propane lines if either property is sold.
Decision: Approved 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.
Text amendments allow the City of St. John's to adapt its regulations to changing needs and circumstances, ensuring that the development process remains effective and responsive. All currently 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 and approved at the October 1 meeting:
231 Main Road
Council were asked to adopt an amendment to the Envision St. John’s Development Regulations to rezone 231 Main Road to allow the development of four townhouses. The property is a corner lot on the corner of Fourth Pond Road, with an area of approximately 951 metres squared.
Staff recommend accepting a staff report in lieu of a full Land Use Report due to the small scale of the project. Public consultation has been completed and the amendment will now be sent to the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs for registration. More information on the application can be found on the project page on Planning St. John's.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
214 Waterford Bridge Road
Council reviewed an application from Jendore Ltd related to the development of an 85-unit, four-storey apartment building. A public hearing was held on August 14, 2024, and the independent commissioner submitted a report that recommended proceeding with the amendments, as well as protecting existing trees and planting new ones. Council voted to approve rezoning, give parking relief for 10 spaces, reduce the parking lot buffer from 3 metres to 2 metres and approve the Land Use Report.
More information on the application can be found the Planning St. John's project page.
Decision: All recommendations were approved unanimously.
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 October 1 meeting:
Parking Relief for Seniors Apartment Building: 45 East White Hills Road
Council reviewed an application from P.A.I. Holdings Limited for parking relief of nine spaces for a proposed 101-unit Seniors Apartment Building at 45 East White Hills Road. The site provides 92 parking spaces instead of the required 101. The applicant justified the request by incorporating a Metrobus shelter, bike racks and promoting carpooling and ride-sharing options.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
Accessory Building in the Watershed: 62-92 King’s Hill Road
A request was made to develop an Accessory Building at 62-92 King’s Hill Road in the Broad Cove Watershed, Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s. Under the St. John's Act and the St. John’s-Paradise Watershed Agreement, only one Accessory Building is permitted on a residential property. Since there is an existing shipping container on the property, it must be removed once the building is constructed.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
Fence in the Wetland Buffer – 49 Leonard J. Cowley Street
Council reviewed an application to construct a fence in the rear yard at 49 Leonard J. Cowley Street, a portion of which will be located within the Wetland Buffer. As per Section 4.10(4)(a) of the Envision St. John’s Development Regulations, Council may permit the development of a fence within a Wetland Buffer.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
Discretionary Use Application for 415 Fowlers Road
Atlantic Storage Inc. has submitted a Discretionary Use application for Heavy Equipment and Vehicle Storage at 415 Fowlers Road. The plan includes a 335m² storage building, two outdoor storage areas, and an existing accessory building. The property is zoned Rural and falls within the building control lines of Peacekeepers Way, requiring approval from the Government Services Centre prior to development. No public submissions were received.
Decision: Approved Unanimously
Notice of Petition
Councillor Davis brought forward a petition on behalf of the residents of Hamel Street for the City to install speed bumps.
Appointments
Council appointed four new members to fill the following roles for the Sustainable and Active Mobility Advisory Committee (SAMAC):
- Parent/Guardian who walks, runs, or cycles: Sarah Bassler
- Individuals who cycle (beginner or avid): Ginette Currie & Andrew Lockhart
- Persons with a disability impacting mobility: Andrea Hann
Special Events Regulatory Committee
Council approved road closures and noise by-law extensions for the following events:
- CLB Anniversary Parade - road closures approved for Sunday, October 20, starting 1:30 p.m.
- Cape to Cabot Road Race - road closures approved for Sunday, October 20, 8 to 11 a.m.
- George Street Mardi Gras - Saturday, October 26, noise by-law extension approved until 12 a.m.
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.
Subscribe to Receive Advisories
Permits Issued
Council was provided with a list of 104 Development and Building Permits issued during the September 12 to 25 period for their information.
Weekly Payment Vouchers
Council approved the weekly payment vouchers for the period of September 12 to 25.
Proclamations
The below proclamations took place at the meeting. All proclamations are also shared on our website.
Circular Economy Month
Mayor Breen was joined by Shelley Pardy, Waste Diversion Supervisor & Edmundo Fausto, Sustainability Manager, with the City of St. John's for the proclamation.
National Seniors Day
Mayor Breen was joined by Sharron Callahan, President of the Canadian Association of Retired Person & Chair of the City's Seniors Advisory Committee, Bernice Paul & Dr. Franklin (Nick) Kum to proclaim October 1 as National Seniors Day.
Fire Prevention Week
Mayor Breen was joined by Cara Pardy, Fire Prevention Officer, & Ian Green, Deputy Chief, with the St. John's Regional Fire Department to proclaim October 6-12 as Fire Prevention Week.
Disability Employment Awareness Month
Mayor Breen was joined by Deanne Dawe, Inclusion Canada NL, Jeffrey Normore, Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work, Terra Wadman, Autism Society NL, Morgan Kelly, Vera Perlin Society, Courtney Abbott, Avalon Employment, for the proclamation.
Green Sports Day
Mayor Breen was joined by Isaac Owens-Frank, Sustainability Coordinator with the 2025 Canada Games, to proclaim October 6, 2024 as Green Sports Day.
Foster Families Month
Mayor Breen was joined by Kelli Hodder, Foster Families NL, Jennie Williams, Foster Parent, Gina Ford Power, Bachelor of Social Work student and Lori Petersen, Foster Families NL for the proclamation.
Contact Us
Subscribe