ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The last time the city held a public meeting for a business at 75 Airport Heights Dr., no one showed up.
But that business was a daycare, the now-shuttered Preschool Fundamentals.
As far as some area residents are concerned, a pub and eatery is a whole other matter.
The building was originally built as a daycare centre, and then rezoned last year to accommodate commercial uses such as an office, takeout or salon. The same applicant is now asking to rezone the land for a pub and eatery.
A recommendation from city staff to rezone the property was met with plenty of feedback from residents — both against and in support of the proposal.
At the regular meeting of council on Tuesday, Coun. Maggie Burton, development lead, motioned to refer to a public meeting before making a decision.
That was not what city staff recommended. In the decision note to council, staff recommended council adopt the necessary amendments for approval of the proposal in principle, after which a public hearing would be scheduled.
Coun. Deanne Stapleton seconded Burton’s motion, and said it would give residents an opportunity to voice their concerns before council made a decision.
Council agreed unanimously, but a date for the meeting is yet to be set.
Objections to the development included concerns about parking, an increase in noise in the residential area, and the proximity of the lounge and restaurant to Roncalli Elementary School.
Residents who wrote in support of the development said there are few amenities in the area and it would contribute to the quality of life.
The proposed business would operate from 11 a.m. to midnight weekdays, and to 1 a.m. on weekends. The decision note describes the lounge and restaurant as family-friendly during the evening and able to accommodate children until 9 p.m.
To address noise concerns, the applicants proposed that bands would not be permitted, and musicians would be limited to solo acoustic shows on weekends only.
According to the decision note, there were no concerns raised by the city’s traffic engineering division regarding reduced off-street parking spaces or the potential of increased traffic.
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