St. John’s city council has rejected a small business after getting as much pushback as the ward councilor has ever dealt with.
It was pegged for Lunenburg Street, off Newfoundland Drive, selling food and hair products for pickup or delivery only.
City staff had no issue with the discretionary-use application and recommended approval based on its regulations.
(City of St. John’s)
But the picture drawn by the 22 submissions from residents opposed, versus just two in favour, was enough to sway council to reject it.
Neighbours cited safety, traffic and parking concerns, not to mention the business had been operating for some time without a permit.
Councillor Jill Bruce said that actually armed council with unique insight into any traffic issues.
Coun. Jill Bruce (City of St. John’s)
“This business has been operating, so the neighbours have noticed the amount of traffic that’s been coming and going because of the business before this application even came into us,” she said. “So I’ve already heard the concerns and the last thing I want to do is more calls to enforcement and increase the amount of work that they’re doing when we know there could be an issue already.”
City staff did note there have been no reported parking concerns in the area to date, and no transportation engineering concerns.
In the end council voted 8-1 to reject the application and staff recommendation, with only Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O’Leary voting in favour.
