An application for a restaurant and lounge in the Airport Heights Neighbourhood of St. John’s has been approved, despite drawing the ire of some residents.
An application was submitted to the city to turn 75 Airport Heights Drive, which used to be a Daycare, into a pub and eatery.
The city received submissions from residents both for and against the proposal. Those against cited wanting to maintain a family oriented neighbourhood, parking, and effects on those directly next to the property as reasons for their disapproval.
Despite it being recommended to only approve the building as an eating establishment, not a lounge- council voted 7-3 in favour of allowing both uses.
City council has voted to approve an eating establishment and lounge at 75 airport heights drive. One Recommendation was to reject it as a lounge, but many councillors cited that having neighbourhood pubs can be a good thing @VOCMNEWS @CityofStJohns pic.twitter.com/Wrxo01Whm4
— Richard Duggan (@RDugganVOCM) March 2, 2020
Ward Councilor Deanne Stapleton voted against the having the lounge, but is hopeful it can still be a positive for the neighbourhood.
She hopes it can be a places for people to socialize without any of the negative effects people were worried about.
Mayor Danny Breen voted in favour of the pub. He notes they are not uncommon in other neighbourhoods.
There are many examples of such establishments in residential areas, which Breen says is the result of people wanting them in their neighbourhoods.
Breen says when you have so many people both for and against an application it is up to council’s discretion to decide what should happen.