A 3D rendering of the Westboro Apartments complex slated for 746 Blackmarsh Road in St. John’s. Photo by Tucker Group Inc.Article contentA motion to rezone land at the corner of Blackmarsh Road and Canada Drive in St. John’s was approved, according to a Notice of Registration posted by the City of St. John’s on July 23, 2026.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentIn November 2025, Tucker Group Inc. submitted an application to redesignate the land from the Rural Residential (RR) Zone to the Apartment 1 (A1) Zone to build Westboro Apartments, a 45-unit cluster the company calls “a premier 50+ apartment complex.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe development has been touted an affordable housing project both by its proponents as well as by the City of St. John’s. The Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC) approved a $1.8 million forgiveable loan for the project under its Affordable Rental Housing Program (ARHP), the corporation’s media spokesperson, Nancy Walsh, told The Telegram on Tuesday, July 28.Article contentThe loan will be used to offset rental costs for 20 of the building’s units, Walsh said. Monthly rental rates for those units cannot exceed the maximum amount specified by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Walsh said, which is currently $880 for a two-bedroom unit.Article contentQUESTIONS SURROUNDING PUBLIC CONSULTATION, RESIDENT SUPPORTArticle contentUnder its Envision St. John’s Development Regulations, the city requires that project developers consult with residents living within a 150-metre radius of the proposed project site to glean feedback.Article contentTucker Group Inc. said in its Land-Use Report (LUR) submitted in February of 2026 that it “started distribution of flyers to homes in the immediate area advising of the proposed development” on or about April 17, 2025. The company said, because it received no feedback, “it is assumed that the residents of the general neighbourhood agree or at least have no issue with the proposed development.”Article contentArticle contentThe company included a copy of the flyer it sent to residents as part of its LUR. The feedback deadline specified on the flyer was April 10, 2025 — a week prior to the date the company says it began mailing the flyers out.Article content Tucker Group Inc. sent this flyer to St. John’s residents more than a week after the advertised event was set to take place. Photo by Tucker Group Inc.Article contentOn May 6, 2026, the City of St. John’s held a public meeting to discuss rezoning 746 Blackmarsh Rd. The event was attended by 23 people, according to the Commissioner’s Report on 746 Blackmarsh Road. Multiple attendees said they hadn’t previously heard anything about the proposed project, the report states. One in particular, identified as Speaker #3, said they “felt more communication was needed when something this important was under consideration.”Article contentThe report also states 12 written submissions regarding the rezoning of 746 Blackmarsh Rd. had been received prior to the May 6 meeting, and that only two of the 12 supported the project.Article contentThe Telegram contacted Tucker Group Inc. and the City of St. John’s requesting further details about its public consultation process but did not receive a response by deadline.
St. John’s City Council moving ahead on 45-unit Blackmarsh Road housing development
