City Seeking Feedback on University Area and Cowan Heights Neighbourhoods

The City of St. John’s invites residents and businesses to provide feedback and ideas to support the development of new neighbourhood plans for the University Area and Cowan Heights.

“We want the input of local residents as we plan for the future of their neighbourhoods,” said Councillor Maggie Burton, lead for Planning. “With growth on the horizon, we want to work with each community to collaborate on a vision that has room for new development while respecting the needs of those who already live there.”

The neighbourhood plans aim to adapt and apply the objectives, policies, land use designations and planning approaches of the Envision St. John’s Municipal Plan to a local context. To shape these new plans, the City is gathering feedback on the following key points:

• Mix of land uses
• Height and density of development
• Transportation
• Open spaces
• Protection of natural and cultural heritage features

This engagement opportunity is open to all residents and businesses, with a particular focus on those living and working in the neighbourhoods. Additionally, the project team will connect with key committees and interested parties, including local community groups and institutions. A variety of tools are available to support engagement, including:

• Complete the Cowan Heights survey and/or the University Area survey;
• Submit ideas at EngageStJohns.ca. A project page has been set up for both the Cowan Heights and University Area neighbourhoods;
• Attend an open house session or pop-up event (schedule below);
• Email engage@stjohns.ca; and/or
• Call 311 and ask to speak to a member of the project team.

Feedback will be collected until December 8. Findings will be shared with the public prior to the development of the final neighbourhood plans. 

Engagement Event Schedule

For the Cowan Heights neighbourhood, the following open houses have been scheduled:

• Online Open House: Tuesday, November 19 from 7 to 8 p.m. (Registration required to receive a Zoom link)
• In-Person Open House: Thursday, November 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. at École St. Matthew's School, 119 Cowan Avenue (No registration required)

For the University Area neighbourhood, the following open houses have been scheduled:

• Online Open House: Thursday, November 21 from 7 to 8 p.m. (Registration required to receive a Zoom link)
• In-Person Open House: Tuesday, November 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the St. John’s Community Market, 245 Freshwater Road (No registration required)

In addition, a pop-up event to discuss both neighbourhood plans will take place on Wednesday, November 27 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the St. John’s Community Market, 245 Freshwater Road (No registration required).

The City recognizes that some people may need alternate ways to provide feedback. If accommodations are required for an in-person meeting or to provide feedback, please email engage@stjohns.ca or call 311 and ask to speak with a member of the project team.

The City of St. John’s has a strategic direction to be a Sustainable City, planning for land use while preserving and enhancing the natural and built environment for residents. The University Area and Cowan Heights neighbourhood plans play a key role in advancing this direction.