A recycling company has cleared another hurdle in its bid to build housing for its own workers in St. John’s.
Newco Metal wants to put up a three-storey, 12-unit building right next to its business on Robin Hood Bay Road.
But city staff recommend rejecting it since residential development is prohibited in the industrial zone near the dump. Yet it continues to gain support and votes among councilors, including Mayor Danny Breen, albeit cautiously.
Yesterday, council voted 9-1 against staff advice, and in favour of at least moving the project to the next stage.
Mayor Danny Breen
Breen says he respects staff opinion, which is based on zoning rules, acknowledging the project might normally be “rejected outright.”
“But I also look at some of the problems we have and two of them are being highlighted here,” he said. “We have a labour shortage problem. We have companies that are trying to get their work done and bring labour into the province. And at the same time we have a housing shortage. Businesses are challenged when they have to find a place for workers to live. So this business has taken it upon themselves to address that issue.”
The project still has a long way to go before being approved.
It requires a land use report, public hearings, a commissioner’s hearing and signoff from Municipal Affairs.
That wasn’t the only rejection felt by city staff yesterday.
Councillors also went against their advice in approving a restaurant and take-out on Hamilton Avenue.
The Market Family’s business will open on the corner of Hamilton and Richmond Street.
That’s despite concerns raised by city staff and some residents regarding parking and safety due to increased traffic.
In the end, council voted 9-1 in favour of the shop, noting it’s a good fit for the neighbourhood, the majority of which also appears to support the business.
