Planning Page Pilot Evaluation

illustration of aerial street map with hand holding pencil drawing buildings in lower half

The City of St. John’s has finalized an evaluation of the pilot planning page at EngageStJohns.ca. Evaluation included a review of site analytics and promotions of the new page; a public survey conducted in May, 2023; a survey of Council; and internal meetings to discuss the page. Generally, response to the page has been positive.

Pilot Overview

The pilot began June 2022. The page was designed to provide an online space for information and solicit feedback on planning applications. It includes Municipal Plan and Development Regulation amendments such as rezonings and text amendments, but does not include development applications, discretionary use applications, or non-conforming use applications. Since the launch, 14 applications have been posted. Cumulatively there were 4,700 unique visitors to one of the various application pages.

Key Findings

The number of emails and requests for information decreased for applications included in the pilot, which is believed to reflect an improved ability to access information online.
Overall, staff believe that reaching beyond the immediate neighbourhood for a proposed project is good for community engagement and land use planning.
While the site has a measure of public awareness, a comprehensive strategy to communicate the page is needed if the pilot becomes a permanent feature of the site.
Council found the page useful and liked the summaries provided when making decisions on an application.
When asked to indicate how they typically learn about planning applications, 58% of public survey respondents indicated they do so through sign up notifications, website or this page; 85% supporting continuing the page.

Read the complete Pilot Review document

Staff are recommending on July 24 at the Regular meeting of Council that we make this pilot a permanent feature of EngageStJohns.ca. Meetings are broadcast live on the City’s website. Next steps if approved will include reviewing the feedback internally, modifying processes for posting information and developing a comprehensive communications plan.