St. John’s council OKs 147 new homes in two split votes

St. John’s city council approved two housing developments totalling 147 homes by 6-5 votes at its Oct. 20 meeting, and rejected a new house in the Broad Cove River watershed.

On Airport Heights Drive, council rezoned 188 Airport Heights Dr. from Residential 1 to Residential 2 for Donovan Homes Ltd. The project includes about 54 semi-detached dwellings and 27 townhouses, or 81 homes. Staff estimated the current zoning allows about 60 lots, so the change adds about 21 units, the city said in its meeting recap. Public feedback was largely opposed, mainly over traffic. Councillors Hammond, Ryall, Bruce, Halley and Davis voted against.

On Mount Cashel Road, council rezoned 18 Mount Cashel Rd. from Residential 2 Cluster to Apartment 1 for KMK Capital Holdings ULC. The project calls for two three-storey apartment buildings with 66 units, 71 parking spaces, a shared driveway, a green roof and three accessible units per building. The developer asked for relief on two parking spaces, and a text amendment allows shared bicycle parking. Councillors Hammond, Ryall, Halley, Davis and Earle voted against.

Council voted 8-2 to reject a new single detached dwelling at 537 Thorburn Rd. The property is in the Broad Cove River Watershed, where the City of St. John’s Act prohibits new dwellings on vacant land. Staff recommended rejection and the city manager supported it. Councillors Halley and Davis voted against the rejection.

Other development decisions were unanimous. Council re-established the building line at 278 Thorburn Rd. from about 37 metres to 21 metres to allow an accessory building in the front yard. It approved a change at 227 Empire Ave. that extends a restaurant and grocery business from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. It approved a home-based artisan bakery of 18 square metres at 21 Connors Ave., open Friday to Sunday, and an indoor golf simulator in an existing 208-square-metre building at 468/470 Topsail Rd. with 24-hour access by passcode. No public submissions were received on those three applications.

Council also adopted Amendment No. 86, 2026, which defines a dwelling unit by specific features and says a unit remains one when vacant. Staff said it would not affect property taxes or create new financial impacts. The amendment goes to the province for registration.

Under the 2026 Heritage Financial Incentives Program, council approved 28 of 39 applications after the program budget rose from $60,000 to $120,000. Each grant will be reduced by $142.27 to stay within budget. The Built Heritage Experts Panel recommended approving all 28 and asked staff to develop a clearer prioritization strategy for future years.

Council approved the 2026-27 insurance renewal at $2,758,343, down about $32,148 from $2,790,491 last year, mainly because of lower commercial general and excess liability premiums. It appointed Robin Parsons, Anthony Goodings, Robin Purcell, M. Abigail Steel and Luke Quinton to the Sustainable and Active Mobility Advisory Committee, which received 20 applications for five vacancies.

Coun. Ryall gave notice of a motion to update the heritage by-law so heat pump provisions apply to residential as well as non-residential heritage buildings. It is to return at the next regular meeting. Related reading: the final stretch of the Team Gushue Highway and the drop in Memorial University’s international student count.

Source: City of St. John’s, City Council Meeting Recap: October 20, 2026, published Oct. 23.

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