Minutes of Committee of the Whole - City Council

Council Chambers, 4th Floor, City Hall

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4th Floor City Hall
Present:
  • Mayor Danny Breen
  • Councillor Sandy Hickman
  • Councillor Debbie Hanlon
  • Councillor Deanne Stapleton
  • Councillor Jamie Korab
  • Councillor Ian Froude
  • Councillor Wally Collins
  • Councillor Shawn Skinner
Regrets:
  • Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O'Leary
  • Councillor Maggie Burton
Staff:
  • Kevin Breen, City Manager
  • Derek Coffey, Deputy City Manager of Finance & Administration
  • Tanya Haywood, Deputy City Manager of Community Services
  • Jason Sinyard, Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering & Regulatory Services
  • Elaine Henley, City Clerk
  • Ken O'Brien, Chief Municipal Planner
  • Maureen Harvey, Legislative Assistant
  • Susan Bonnell, Manager - Communications & Office Services
Others
  • Brian Head, Manager of Parks & Open Space

    Jennifer Langmead, Supervisor - Tourism & Culture


  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Skinner
    Seconded ByCouncillor Stapleton

    That the agenda be adopted as presented.



    MOTION CARRIED (8 to 0)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Hanlon
    Seconded ByCouncillor Korab

    That the minutes of March 10, 2021 be approved as presented.



    MOTION CARRIED (8 to 0)

The Chief Municipal Planner informed the Committee that the issue at hand is in relation to applicant Mark & Leah Richards who have requested to construct the driveway in the floodplain. He noted that while driveways are permitted in floodplain buffers they are prohibited from floodplains.  Mark and Leah Richards conducted a presentation in the hope of Council supporting their application.  The presentation can be viewed in the meeting video.  This matter was also referenced under item 13.2 on the agenda.

Supervisor of Events and Services, Jennifer Langmead, conducted a detailed presentation that supports the recommendation of staff in relation to the areas that ought to be considered for the 2021 Pedestrian Mall.  A copy of the presentation is attached.  

Considerable discussion took place with the following recommendation brought forward.

  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Hanlon
    Seconded ByCouncillor Stapleton

    That Council approve the following from July 2 to September 6:
    1. Close Water Street from Adelaide Street to Prescott Street.
    2. Due to the reasons outlined in the presentation at the March 24 Committee of the Whole, that sections 2, 4, and 5 of Duckworth Street are not included in the road closure.
    3. As sections 1 and 3 have no identified barriers preventing a road closure, that Council include both of these sections in the 2021 Downtown Pedestrian Mall.  


    For (8)Mayor Breen, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner


    MOTION CARRIED (8 to 0)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Froude
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hanlon

    That Council consider rezoning the property at 142 Old Pennywell Road from the Residential Low Density (R1) to the Residential Medium Density (R2) Zone to allow three Townhouses; and advertise the application for public review and comment.


    For (8)Mayor Breen, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner


    MOTION CARRIED (8 to 0)

This matter was discussed briefly under item 4.1 of the agenda.  

  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Collins
    Seconded ByCouncillor Skinner

    That Council consider the attached amendment to the St. John’s Development Regulations which would allow driveways, wharves and stages in a floodplain at the discretion of Council and advertise the amendment for public review and comment.

    Further, that Council refer the proposed amendment to the City’s Environment and Sustainability Experts Panel for review.


    For (8)Mayor Breen, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner


    MOTION CARRIED (8 to 0)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Hickman
    Seconded ByCouncillor Skinner

    That Council advertise the draft Heritage By-Law for public review and comment, refer the draft Heritage By-Law to a virtual Public Meeting chaired by an independent facilitator, and refer the draft Heritage By-Law to the Built Heritage Experts Panel.


    For (8)Mayor Breen, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Hanlon, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner


    MOTION CARRIED (8 to 0)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Froude
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hickman

    That Council approve the following key decisions as this project moves into detailed design:
    a) use of an asphalt surface treatment for the length of Kelly’s Brook Shared-Use Path
    b) pursue the Graves Street alignment option (subject to feasibility and property impact)
    c) pursue the alignment option that passes behind the Community Market (subject to feasibility and property impact)
    d) use a one-way configuration for the Empire Avenue section
    e) include illumination in the plan with a balanced approach that is sensitive to adjacent uses and minimizes dim areas immediately adjacent the trail during normal use hours
    f) include and consider accessibility in the provision of amenities such as recycling and waste receptacles, benches, pet waste stations, shade and wind-break planting, way-finding signs, shared-use guideline signs, and bike racks
    g) continue to consult with the Inclusion Advisory Committee and other stakeholders as needed during the detailed design process


    For (7)Mayor Breen, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Froude
    Seconded ByCouncillor Skinner

    That Council approve the 12 policy update areas noted above to proceed to public engagement prior to staff making final policy update recommendations. 


    For (7)Mayor Breen, Councillor Hickman, Councillor Stapleton, Councillor Korab, Councillor Froude, Councillor Collins, and Councillor Skinner


    MOTION CARRIED (7 to 0)

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 11:35 pm.