Proposed text amendment to be referred to the Regular Meeting of Council on Monday, September 22, 2008, for consideration of approval

1 The St. John's Municipal Council is considering making an amendment to the St. John's Development Regulations which would have the effect of changing 'lounges' from the category of 'Permitted Use' to 'Discretionary Use' for all properties located within the boundaries of the Downtown Business Improvement Area which can generally be described as running between New Gower Street/Duckworth Street and Harbour Drive from Empire Avenue in the east to Springdale Street in the west. Under the proposed amendment, lounges would continue to be categorized as a Permitted Use for properties located on George Street from the intersection of George Street/Queen Street to the intersection of George Street/Water Street. As part of the proposed amendment, a map will be introduced to the Development Regulations which sets out the boundaries of the Downtown Business Improvement Area. (WARD 2)

The proposed text amendment may be viewed during regular business hours at the offices of the City's Department of Planning, located on the 3rd floor of St. John's City Hall. Telephone enquiries may be directed to the Department of Planning at (709) 576-6121 or by email to planning@stjohns.ca.

Any persons wishing to make representation to the St. John's Municipal Council on the proposed amendment are requested to please refer their comments in writing to the City Clerk's Department in any of the following ways (by mail: City of St. John's, PO Box 908, St. John's, NL A1C 5M2; by fax: (709)576-8474; by e-mail: cityclerk@stjohns.ca) by NOON, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008. Any written representations received by that time will then be included in the Agenda for the Regular Meeting of Council on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2008, at which time Council is scheduled to make a decision on this proposed amendment.

RESOLUTION
ST. JOHN'S DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
AMENDMENT NUMBER 441, 2008

WHEREAS the City of St. John's wishes to amend the provisions of the St. John's Development Regulations regarding the regulation of Taverns in the Downtown Area.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the City of St. John's hereby adopts the following amendment to the St. John's Development Regulations pursuant to the provisions of the Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000:

1. Section 7.22 ( 'Taverns and Eating Establishments') is repealed and the following substituted:

'7.22 Taverns and Eating Establishments

(1) No Tavern shall be permitted within 50 metres of the Newfoundland War Memorial;
(2) No Tavern or Eating Establishment shall be permitted on the property situate between Airport Road and Portugal Cove Road which property was the subject of St. John's Development Regulations Amendment Number 325, 2004; however
(3) A Tavern may be allowed as a Discretionary Use
i) within 150 metres of a Church;
ii) within 150 metres of a School;
iii) within 150 metres of Residential Zone; and
iv) in the Downtown Business Improvement Area, excepting those properties abutting George Street between Queen Street and Water Street where a Tavern shall be a Permitted Use.'

2. Section 3.1 ( 'Zoning Plan ') is amended by adding the following:

'MAP K: Downtown Business Improvement Area'

3. Section 2 ('Definitions') is amended by adding the following:

'Downtown Business Improvement Area means that area of the Downtown generally bounded by Harbour Dive, Temperance Street, Duckworth Street, Livingstone Street, and Springdale Street and shown on MAP K'

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of St. John's requests the Minister of Municipal Affairs to register the proposed amendment in accordance with the requirements of the Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000.

IN WITNESS THEREOF the Seal of the City of St. John's has been hereunto affixed and this Resolution has been signed by the Mayor and the City Clerk this day of 2008.

For more information visit: www.stjohns.ca/csj/NewsDetails?id=731

Silverseas Cruises' Prince Albert II will be making her inaugural port call to St. John's on August 15, 2008. The Prince Albert II will be in port from 7:00 am until 3:00 pm and is utilizing the destination as a turn around port for two cruises.

The Prince Albert II will be carrying approximately 132 passengers on her cruise from Iceland to Newfoundland. The cruise began in Reykjavik and visits such places as Qaqortoq, Iqaluit, Button Islands, Hopedale, Battle Harbour, L'Anse Aux Meadows and Twillingate before arriving in St. John's. Approximately 100 passengers will disembark while the remaining 30 will be joined by 100 new passengers for the next cruise. This voyage begins in St. John's and concludes in New York making stops in Gros Morne National Park, Saint Pierre, Halifax, Long Island-Bay of Fundy and Martha's Vineyard.

The Prince Albert II made her maiden voyage on June 12, 2008 after undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation by Silverseas. The ship is designed specifically for expedition cruising and has a Lloyd's Register ice-class notation strengthened hull. The ship also boasts many amenities not usually found on expedition ships including a library, fitness centre, beauty salon, full service spa, boutique shopping and on board entertainment.

Stay tuned to VOCM, Hits 99.1 and K-Rock for regular updates or call 726 8244.

The event will continue on Sunday, August 10 RAIN, DRIZZLE, FOG OR SHINE starting at 6:00 pm at the SCOTIA CENTER PERFORMANCE STAGE ONLY.

Schedule for Sunday, August 10:

6:00 to 10:00 pm Busker Extravaganza! All 4 International Buskers will be performing throughout the evening. Check out Mama Lou Strongwoman as she tears telephone books in half! You can't miss the hilarious antics of Daniel Craig and the Dan Show. The Phantastyks will amaze you with a show of acrobatics and tricks. Thom Sellectomy is a sure hit as he amazes crowds with his sword swallowing and ballon disappearing tricks!

*Catch the Wandering Brush at the festival!

The schedule for the 5th Annual Downtown Busker Festival August 8-10, 2008 is now available online!

CLICK BELOW!

Schedule: