ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — In two unanimous votes at St. John’s city council’s committee of the whole meeting Wednesday, two proposed developments for the Memorial University area are closer to fruition.
The first would see Werkliv, a Montreal-based company, build three six-storey apartment buildings containing 200 units adjacent to the Aquarena at 6 Lambe’s Ln.
The apartments would be geared toward second- and third-year students, according to the development proposal, and Mayor Danny Breen said this could include students with families.
The three buildings would be separated by pedestrian laneways that would include some green space.
A unique feature about the proposal is the developer plans to have no off-street vehicular parking. The proponent says the location is well-serviced by public transit, and cited Gen Z culture around car ownership as a reason for steering away from such parking.
The proposal says demand for high-quality living options for mature students is high, and affordable furnished rentals close to campus may be hard to find. Coun. Maggie Burton, development lead on council, said she agreed.
“We see that a lot of young people, especially in the city, are living in substandard conditions in rental units, so anything that we can do to help fill that need and make sure that people can move out of less-than-ideal conditions, and into something better, is great,” she said.
Burton said the city’s affordable housing strategy highlighted a need for higher-quality rentals.
“We see that a lot of young people, especially in the city, are living in substandard conditions in rental units, so anything that we can do to help fill that need... is great.” — Coun. Maggie Burton
Coun. Ian Froude, ward councillor for the area, said he’s heard from many students that there’s a demand for this type of housing.
“It’s encouraging to see this sort of idea come forward,” he said.
Before the developer gets the city’s approval, a detailed land use assessment report is required, as is a digital public meeting to gather public feedback.
The property would require rezoning from an institutional to an apartment/high density zone, and a house on the site would have to be demolished.
47-suite personal care home
City council also heard a proposal from Nevida Properties Inc., with architect Lat 49, for a three-storey personal care home able to house between 70 and 100 residents.
If approved, the development would be situated at 5 and 7 Little St. with access along Hoyles Avenue — not far from the student apartments — in a residential area off Empire Avenue and near Freshwater Road and Elizabeth Avenue.
The home would include five single suites and 42 double suites, with on-site amenities including a commercial kitchen, dining area, multipurpose space, bathing facilities and any other amenities required by the provincial government. It would accommodate anyone needing Level 1 or Level 2 personal care.
Burton said the proposal corresponds with the city’s municipal plan.
“We’re looking at intensifying areas instead of pushing seniors, for example, out to the edges of the city. It’s really nice to have these personal care homes in appropriate residential areas so that people can age in place,” she said.
“And there’s sidewalks in the area, there’s lots of bus infrastructure, there’s lots of things to do. So, it will allow the complementary use of this property within the area, and make sure that seniors have a healthy place to be in the community.”
According to council’s agenda notes, the developer needs to submit a land use assessment report, and, if approved, the city would rezone the property from residential medium density to apartment low density. Buildings currently located on the property would be demolished.
Both the personal care home and student apartment proposals are expected to be back on city council’s agenda in two week at the regular council meeting before being referred for digital public meetings.
Coun. Wally Collins and Coun. Debbie Hanlon were absent from Wednesday’s meeting, so they were not part of the unanimous votes.
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