Paradise Above the Dashboard Light

he vibe was decidedly subdued at the first council meeting of 2024. Even though it was a Tuesday, everyone seemed to have those Monday feelings. Who can blame them? The holidays are over and spring is a long way off. St. John’s is currently cloaked in a devil’s blanket of snow, and the windchill has been outright hostile. 

Few of us are immune to the winter doldrums—or cold and flu season. Coun. Ophelia Ravecroft tuned in remotely, as she was recuperating at home with COVID. “I think it’s time to start wearing a mask again, folks,” she said. Coun. Maggie Burton also joined virtually. 

Everyone else was present, except for Ian Froude. The ward 4 councillor resigned just before the holidays after six years of service. Froude had reached his limit, he said; he simply didn’t have the motivation for the work anymore and wanted to reinvest his energy in his family and his growing business instead. 

He made his last appearance at the meeting of the whole on Dec. 19, where he received a standing ovation after Coun. Burton’s gracious, heartfelt send-off. “Thank you for being a calm, competent, and curious leader and a generous colleague,” she said, trying to maintain her composure. Burton lauded Froude’s commitment to personal growth, before signing off: “St. John’s is a better place because of your influence, and your perspectives will be sorely missed.” 

Froude’s chair sat empty for the duration of the meeting, and his little voting square, usually green, sometimes red, remained a dreary gray relegated to the edge of the screen. It reminded me of a denuded Christmas tree, stripped of its lights and tinsel, languishing at the side of a curb.

Welcome to January, folks, the coldest month in the Northern Hemisphere, and the most depressing. But it’s not all bad. The month gets its name from Janus, the two-faced Roman god of doors, gates, and passageways. As we stand at the threshold of a new year, he seems like an appropriate figure for this uncomfortable moment of transition. Yes, we’re looking backwards at what we’re leaving behind and what must come with us. We’re looking forward, too, watching an uncertain future unfold on the horizon.

A deck, a pool, a ghost kitchen, a masonic extension, and more than one way to golf

This week’s meeting was mostly uneventful. Council approved a few applications, including a residential deck within the floodplain buffer at 41 Leonard J. Cowley St. in Kenmount Terrace, and a residential pool at 223 Waterford Bridge Rd. 

A “ghost kitchen” is coming to 87 Springdale St., which has been rezoned from commercial use to restaurant use. It will provide a home base for the Barding House Cookery catering company. A ghost kitchen, if you don’t know, is an increasingly popular way to reduce the overhead cost of running a restaurant as it does not require a store front, a dining space, or much staff–just a kitchen you won’t see as you walk by, but you might smell it.

Council approved the terms of reference for a heritage report for a proposed elevator and an atrium for a restaurant extension to the Masonic Temple.

Meanwhile, Tee Box Indoor Golf Inc. at 347 Freshwater Rd. gets to extend its hours to 12 a.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends. Noise won’t be an issue, council has been assured, as “loud music is a detriment to the golf simulator.” Obviously.

Meanwhile, parking relief has been granted for the proposed discgolf course at 108 McNiven Pl. in Airport Heights. Current parking will apparently be sufficient, Coun. Jill Bruce assured, adding that the area will continue to accommodate mountain biking and other activities, like snowshoeing. And don’t worry, the trees are safe–for now.   

Finally, the city council rules of procedures is finally being revised. It was last updated in 1992.

Collisions decisions

Coun. Sandy Hickman provided a brief overview of the City of St. John’s Collision Report, which was discussed at length at the last meeting of the whole. The document, prepared by the city’s transportation engineering division, provides detailed data on all the collisions reported between 2018 and 2022. It includes information on location and location type, pedestrian or cyclist involvement, dates, times, environmental conditions, as well as the level of severity. 

While the report includes the what, where, and when of these collisions, the why and how are much trickier to determine and mitigate. As a result, council is adopting the recommendation to increase the frequency of the city’s collision report to every three years as opposed to five. This will provide a better timeline to flag priority areas, make informed recommendations, and procure any design and construction interventions that may be needed to address them. 

The most frequent collisions happen at mid-block locations, where roads intersect with driveways and parking lots. Nearly half of all collisions take place at intersections, where there is also a higher proportion of injury. Collisions also seem to happen more frequently in broad daylight when weather conditions are clear. Go figure.

The intersection with the highest rate of collisions is on Goldstone Street at Thorburn Road/Seaborn Street, with Higgins Line/Portugal Cove Road at Newfoundland Drive following in second; Rawlins Cross, the most vexing and closely studied intersection, ranks third. 

The top three mid-block locations with the highest number of collisions seem to be ones in the high density areas around the city’s shopping centres: on Kelsey Drive between Kiwanis Street and Messanger Drive; on Kenmount Road between the Avalon Mall parking lot and Peet Street; and on Torbay Road between the Trans Canada Highway and Stavanger Drive. Smart Centres: they really do smart. 

The top three locations for collisions involving pedestrians or cyclists include the busy, multi-lane intersection at Highland Drive at Penney Crescent and Torbay Road; the awkward part of Freshwater Road, between Elizabeth Avenue and Stamp’s Lane; as well as the stretch of Hamlyn Road between Barachois Street and Topsail Road where crosswalks are scarce and parking lots are plenty.

Hey, big tenders

Harbourside Engineering Consultants Ltd., which has offices across the Atlantic region and Ontario, was awarded two different contracts: one for a 2024 Bridge Rehabilitation Program ($290,777.50), and the other for the 2024 Retaining Wall Rehabilitation Program ($364,624.75).

GFL Environmental Services Inc.—a sole bidder in this case—was awarded the contract for the collection, sorting, and storing of household hazardous waste at Robin Hood Waste Management Facility ($1,138,249.59.)

A fourplex at 154 University Ave. and someday shopping at Nils Way 

Council approved the rezoning of 154 University Ave. for a proposed fourplex. The consensus was that the development is reasonable given it is a corner lot with ample parking, while also being close to the university. During public consultations, residents in the area were lukewarm on the idea, however, raising concerns that it might set a precedent for more multi-unit properties. The horror!

Nevertheless, all members of council supported the motion with Deputy Mayor O’Leary and Coun. Hickman emphasizing that the city needs to take new approaches to increase density and address housing shortages. 

27 Nils Way at Kenmount Crossing Industrial Park on the border of Paradise, was rezoned from industrial general to industrial commercial. It’s not clear what the use for the building will be yet, but the intention is to allow for more retail commercial use, which sure sounds like it’ll be another “Smart Centre.” 

Embracing winter with gratitude, exercise, kindness, and Dolly Parton

The city just had its first significant snowfall of the year, and finally got to dip into its big, fluffy 2024 snow clearing budget. Coun. Korab congratulated the city staff’s snow clearing efforts; no doubt it is a thankless job. 

He also reminded everyone that the overnight parking ban on streets outside the downtown area is currently in effect until April 5. In other words, if you’re staying late at a friend’s or having a sleepover with your honey, don’t bring your car if you have one. Take your chances on a taxi, or the Metro Bus if it’s still running. Better yet, you could walk–especially now that the city plans to be on top of those snowy sidewalks.

Coun. Bruce encouraged everyone to visit the winter activities centre which is now open in Pippy Park at the North Bank Lodge. There is no cost to use the trails, which are lit for evening use, and equipment is available for rent. “It’s a great way to get some exercise and some fresh air, and to embrace winter–which I struggle with,” she added, “but maybe I’ll try this!”

“It’s hard times out there,” Coun. Debbie Hanlon lamented. “There’s a lot of people struggling, there’s a lot of people in need, so wherever you can, help out.” She didn’t get specific, leaving it to our imaginations. “We can all do our little part to make lives better for everyone.” Hanlon concluded with a quote she attributed to Dr. Seuss: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” 

“Yes, we all have our parts to play in our contributions in the community,” O’Leary said, appreciating the sentiment. 

She also had books on her mind, announcing that the Imagination Library is coming to St. John’s, thanks to the efforts of a couple of highly motivated women. The program provides free books to children from birth to five years old across the U.S. and Canada. The Kinsmen Club of St. John’s is currently doing a 50/50 fundraiser to support it. 

The Imagination Library is a philanthropic initiative by none other than Dolly Parton. She might be a country music icon, but she’s also “a complete and utter rock star for contributing to literacy,” O’Leary exclaimed.