Foreign Case Study 1
Foreign Case Study 1
Foreign Case Study 1
Philip’s
Community Work Plan
PlaceBuilder™
June 2016
er
Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s
Community Work Plan
PlaceBuilder™
This Community Work Plan is a reference tool to guide the Town, the residents and the business
community of Portugal Cove St. Phillips (PCSP) as they actively engage in the co-ordinated process of
building and maintaining a sustainable community.
There are two main divisions of this Community Work Plan i.) the Main Body which includes the
Foreword and chapters 1 – 4 and associated subsections and ii.) The Appendices A – E and their
associated subsections.
The Foreword outlines the steps followed during Tract’s PlaceBuilder™ process to generate this
Community Work Plan.
Chapter 1.0 provides a brief background to the inception of the project aimed at implementing the
PlaceBuilder™ model and thereby addressing community goals specifically related to the needs of
PCSP and creating a planning and development tool (this Community Work Plan) to carry the town
into the long term.
In Chapter 2.0 we present the results of the five-step process summarizing findings and presenting
related recommendations in eight specific categories including: community development, culture
and heritage, economic development, infrastructure, land use planning and policy, marketing and
promotion, preservation of lands, and tourism opportunities. These recommendations for planned
development are developed to entice new residents and visitors, enhance residents’ attachment to
place, stimulate growth and economic development, and as a result, help to create a better place in
which to live, work and play.
In Chapter 3.0 of the Community Work Plan the intentions, needs and desires of the
residents, and businesses are translated through the PlaceBuilder™ process into eight specific
public, nongovernmental, and private developments. There is also a related series of general
recommendations for recreation, street planning, wayfinding and branding. This chapter also includes
an overview of the PlaceBuilder™ Economic Impact Analysis. (See Appendix C: Development Project
Preliminary Costs and Impacts for the detailed economics impact analysis).
Each project identified is prioritized based on the need, the benefits, and potential impact on
the community. It is important to recognize that while Tract has ranked the developments in a
recommended order to complete, there are other factors that may argue for a different priority list such
as ease of development, access to funding, and the evolving needs of the community. The final order is
the work of the community as they implement this community plan.
To assist in this process for each project included in Chapter Three, we have identified, preliminary
costs, schematic designs of what it might look like, potential partners in development, opportunities
for funding to get it done and, in some cases, the economic benefits of undertaking the project.
Chapter 4.0 provides guidance for the Community Work Plan to be implements to its fullest
potential. It reinforces the concept that PlaceBuilder™ and the resulting Community Work Plan is not
simply a series of projects, but an integrated community driven, economic development model. In this
chapter Tract lays out the necessary strategy for successful implementation of the plan. We encourage
Appendix A is a background report that supports the Community Work Plan providing the research
and supporting documents sourced on issues related to the Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s. It
may be used as reference to support and inform actions related to developments undertaken as part of
this Community Work Plan especially as a long-term comprehensive framework for land-use decision
making in the community.
Appendix B provides policy recommendations that will serve as a starting point for the Town
Council of Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s to consider in implementing a potential new municipal direction
in general accordance with the PlaceBuilder™ priorities identified during project research.
Appendix C outlines the capital development costs of Phase One projects and the impact on the
GDP, employment, and other elements for PlaceBuilder™ to illustrate to the Town and the funding
agencies the regional and economic impacts of the developments. The majority of the projects are
community-wide and have measurable economic impacts, such as the proposed integrated signage
and wayfinding system, and those that are the first phase of a larger development plan that set the
stage for future larger development.
Appendix D provides an overview of provincial Agricultural Development Areas (ADA), local ADAs
their impact on PCSP and describes required policy changes in this specific area that would enable the
PCSP Council to better support and advance its vision as a sustainable community. In this Appendix
Council will find the rationale and recommendations it requires to advance the designation and uses
of ADA within the community boundaries.
And the final section of the Community Work Plan is Appendix E: Marketing Plan is based on
the newly created positioning – Inspired Living. In this section the Town has a tool box of materials
and strategies carefully laid in a multiyear plan to grow the Town’s brand “from the inside out” and
underscores the reasons why residents will “be inspired by who you are and where you live.”
FOReWoRD
This Community Work Plan is the result of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s bold initiative to ensure a
sustainable future for the community, a future that builds on the assets and aspirations of every group
with a stake in this community. To accomplish this, the Town Council partnered with Tract Consulting
to implement PlaceBuilder™ our innovative planning practice.
Through PlaceBuilder™ the Council and Tract worked with residents to decipher what it is that
makes Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s home, fosters a sense of attachment and community and identifies
residents’ goals and priorities for community growth and development. Based on identified
community priorities, we examined the pressures of local growth, development and municipal and
transportation service.
Community priorities included the desire to maintain rural sensibilities and to preserve natural and
cultural assets. Informed by the principles of sustainable planning for smart growth, PlaceBuilder™
helped the residents and businesses of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s to use their carefully identified
priorities to create a plan for a community that balances work/life expectations of residents, enhances
opportunities for community engagement and strives to intensify attachment to place.
Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s has cultural and physical attributes that distinguish it from all others.
Through PlaceBuilder™ we helped the residents and businesses to identify those attributes and to lay
the foundation for their unique and community-specific brand: Inspired Living.
PlaceBuilder™ elevates community pride by celebrating place, creating opportunities for social
interaction. The end result of the process is a detailed outline for the priorities of a Community Work
Plan for Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s. The plan supports future economic development and investment.
Each step builds upon and expands the preceding steps in the process. The final result is a Community
Work Plan. In the case of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s this plan was developed and embraced by
residents, business owners and operators, town administrators and councillors.
In the process of generating this Community Work Plan, participants worked through the following
five PlaceBuilder™ steps1:
STEP 1 - Listen: in-depth and comprehensive community engagement involves everyone. Each
member of the community is a participant and deserves to be heard.
STEP 2 - Take Stock: working with priorities identified in Step 1, considers community assets and their
significance and how to incorporate them into the Community Work Plan.
STEP 3 - Gather: compiles and assesses data from Listen and Take Stock and details how to move
forward with the Plan.
STEP 4 - Plan: by synthesizing the outcomes of Steps 1 – 3, this step develops a road map describing
required policies and development priorities for the future.
STEP 5 - Create: completes the Community Work Plan and specifies development projects that
address participants’ goals and sustain the complete community in the future.
Sincerely,
1
See Appendix A: Background Report for a detailed discussion of the results of this 5-step approach
in Portugal Cove –St. Philip’s.
The Council of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s contracted with Tract Consulting in 2014 to implement
the PlaceBuilder™ model and address community goals and create a planning and development tool
to carry the town into the long term2. Over the last several months, the Town has diligently worked
through the PlaceBuilder™ process, and the result is captured in this document – a planned strategy
for sustainable community building, growth management, economic development, promotion and
preservation of heritage and environmentally sensitive areas, and community engagement for long-
term sustainability of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s.
2
See Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s PlaceBuilder™ Background Report, 2015, for insight into the details of the
PlaceBuilder 5-step approach and specific results related to Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s.
The recommendations that flow from Step 4 reflect existing development pressures, infrastructure
and servicing requirements and capabilities, policy and planning directions with a view to growth
management, recreational, cultural and heritage amenities and, above all, community support. Below is
a summary of the recommendations3.
L-2. Encourage growth and development in areas of the community with existing municipal services
with adequate capacity to sustain that growth.
L-3. Create a Planning Advisory Committee, comprised of a councillor, and one staff person, and one
representative each from the business community, a community organization, an environmental
group, and two citizens at large, to review development proposals for input to Council. Determine
if this Committee should be responsible for the review of developments within an urban design
context and ensure at least two members have a background in architecture, urban design, landscape
architecture or planning.
3
Ibid
L-4. Identify five-year Council and municipal department goals and objectives that are succinct,
achievable, and pragmatic and assign lead responsibility for completing the task, timeframe, and
associated costs. Semi-annual progress update sessions are required. This should be done in
conjunction with annual budget process.
L-5. Prepare comprehensive map inventory of all privately owned lands, municipal lands and Crown
Land located within the Town’s municipal boundary. Such mapping and ownership information will
help Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s plan the community in a sustainable fashion. This mapping will also
support applications to acquire strategic lands for growth and development.
2.2 Infrastructure
Subdivision Standards and Roadway Network Planning
A variety of planning and development standards have been applied in the past and these have worked
with varying degrees of success. The economic and visual impacts of current standards were not fully
understood before the Community Work Plan was developed. However, residents and businesses now
understand that there is a need for guidelines and standards that create safe, functional, affordable and
attractive communities. Advanced planning for roadways and service networks is urgently needed and
some streets require traffic calming measures to enhance pedestrian safety.
I-2. Prepare an Advanced Street Network Plan that examines comprehensive roadway and pathway
connections for a variety of users and introduces active transportation modes, such as roundabouts,
which help to create a safer environment for all users—motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
Street Sections
Pathway Connections
These recommendations flow from Steps 1 through 3 of the PlaceBuilder™ process and reflect the
input of the residential and business communities as well as of the Council.
The Town has two Habitat Conservation Areas, one at Voisey’s Brook Park and the other at Blast Hole
Pond. Both have been recognized by the Province, and the Town, as has having significant biodiversity
and as such any development proposed for these areas must be respectful of these environmental
sensibilities, be non-intrusive in nature and supported by good planning that ensures sensitive
habitats of high biodiversity are not inadvertently impacted by ill designed development.
P-10: Ensure the development of these ADA lands is conducted through a development scheme that
responds to existing development at Neary’s Pond and the proposed development program suggested
by PlaceBuilder™.
P-11: Undertake an inventory of farm lands that examines soils capability and drainage, to determine
lands that are:
1. Suitable for agriculture.
2. Unsuitable for agriculture but suitable for development.
3. Suitable to be preserved and protected because of their environmentally sensitive value.
Signage helps to cultivate a Town identity and “brand.” Wayfinding combines marketing identity,
planning, function and design.
2.10 SUMMARY
The Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s has seized on a tremendous opportunity to shape and
influence the community that it wants to be. Residents and businesses during consultations for the
PlaceBuilder™ process have clearly identified their core values and what a community that reflects
those values should look like and how it should function for families, for business, for visitors, for the
environment. This Community Work Plan flows from consultations with all concerned and reflect
those values in recommendations to Council. In those recommendations PlaceBuilder™ enables us to
offer a measured framework that will enable the community to achieve its vision in a coordinated way
that carefully weighs and balances the needs of all residents.
3.0 development
The physical works, proposed through PlaceBuilder™ will advance Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s as a
sustainable community. Recommendations for planned development will entice new residents and
visitors, enhance residents’ attachment to place, stimulate growth and economic development and
result in a better place in which to live, work and play.
In this section of the Community Work Plan the intentions, needs and desires of the residents
and businesses are translated into tangible developments. Based on the findings from the
PlaceBuilder™process Tract recommends eight specific developments, two general developments,
a planning study, and a community branding methodology. Then we present an economic impact
analysis of implementing these recommendations.
The eight physical developments we recommend include a Town Centre on Portugal Cove Road, a
commercial area in Rainbow Gully Park, harbour-front developments in Portugal Cove and St. Philip’s
(the latter of which could also include a marina), nature based recreation at Blast Hole Pond, recreation
and land development at Voisey’s Brook Park, water-based recreation and land development at Neary’s
Pond Park, and a Farmers’ Market at Tilt House Bakery.
Each of these recommendations is examined in detail as a separate item below including a description
of the development, a listing of potential development partners, a thorough examination of the
motivation for development, the next steps for well-planned development and, where appropriate,
sources of funding.
In the general recommendations we provide descriptions for a network of trails and neighbourhood
parks, and also for lookouts to highlight some of the more remarkable features of the Town. And
we provide an overall description of the signage and wayfinding system that will identify and brand
the community for residents, businesses and tourists. We also recommend the development of an
Advanced Street Network Plan with a rationale and description of what would be included.
And finally we provide an overview of the PlaceBuilder™ Economic Impact Analysis. For the detailed
economics impact analysis see Appendix C: Development Project Preliminary Costs and Impacts.
The built form that would result from these developments marries the community’s historical
agricultural roots with its new brand “Inspired Living.” The proposed development projects outlined
below seek to – for the first time in the Province – use land development to support local agriculture,
and use neighbouring productive agricultural lands to support a Town Centre lifestyle.
New amenities will anchor the Town Centre. These include the proposed Town’s Administrative
Centre, Lifestyle Centre + pool, and grocery store. The proposed location serves to extend market reach
and begins to make the proposed Lifestyle Centre, a reality.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that 3,000 vehicles per day travel this section of Portugal Cove Road.
Bell Island residents using the ferry will find the proposed Town Centre to be a convenient place to
shop and recreate. A proposed road from the development to Indian Meal Line creates a future link
into the north western boundary of Torbay. The Town Centre site is a seven-minute drive from the
Torbay bypass. It is anticipated that some Torbay residents will use the Indian Meal Line link to access
the Town Centre and its amenities.
The Town Centre would be connected to the community’s multi-use trail system. While the
community’s residents can enjoy the extensive trail system for recreation, its connection to the airport
provides an active transportation opportunity for employees to commute to work either at the airport
or at the soon to be developed airport industrial park.
Undertaking a Market Demand and Land Valuation Study for both the Portugal Cove Town Centre and
the Rainbow Gully Commercial Area, will enable the Town to confirm project viability.
The preliminary Design Program for the Portugal Cove Road Town Centre consists of the following
elements:
1. Municipal Administrative Offices
2. Community Leisure Centre
3. Seniors Multi-unit Housing
4. Grocery and Community Retail
5. Civic Park and Public Walkways
6. Retail and Office Complex
7. Single Family Housing with Accessory Housing
8. Portugal Cove Farms and Market Gardens
9. Community Parking and Staging Area
The Market Demand and Land Valuation study will inform both the development program and the
economic feasibility of the development. The community needs to understand that getting involved in
land development is a long term proposition that must be approached cautiously and be grounded in
good planning and economic modelling. The development is worth pursuing as it responds to many
of the challenges identified through the PlaceBuilder™ process, and, if properly managed, can have
measurable and profound positive economic impacts on the community.
3.1.5 Next Steps for Town Centre Development
1. Meet with the landowner to confirm a development partnership with the Town. Consider
drafting a Memorandum of Understanding to confirm roles and approach.
2. Confirm with the City of St. John’s that the proposed site is outside the recently revised
Windsor Lake Water Supply Development Boundary, and adjust Town Centre boundaries
as required.
3. Meet with the Department of Natural Resources (Agrifoods) to confirm that ADA lands in
the area can be used to support the development, and that the concept of integrating land
development with active farming is viable.
4. Only upon successful completion of items 1-3, should Council proceed with the Market
Demand and Land Valuation Study, to confirm the economic viability of the Town Centre
Development.
A key development that will influence the proposed commercial area is whether or not a second school
will be built on the site. The level of commercial development envisioned relates mostly to small-scale
commercial developments with alternative housing choices.
The housing type and the small-scale commercial activities respond to the local neighbourhood
market, the traffic associated with the school(s), Rainbow Gully Park and the drive-by traffic on
Thorburn Road. Anecdotal evidence suggests that traffic volumes have increased on Thorburn Road in
the last five years, including a significant number of drivers who use Thorburn Road as a “backdoor” to
the Town of Paradise.
The Development Program for the proposed Rainbow Gully Park Commercial Area consists of the
following items:
1. Conversion of Town Hall to retail and office space.
2. Small retail and office complex.
3. Affordable/alternative housing.
4. Multi-unit housing.
5. Road and walkway links to future Comprehensive Development Area. (CDA)
6. Trail and Bicycle link to surrounding neighbours and St. Philip’s Marina.
7. On-site pre-school and afterschool facility.
The Rainbow Gully Commercial Area project requires upfront planning to inform development. The
Town should undertake a market demand study to confirm viability of this project.
The municipal plan designates the site as a heritage area. A Heritage Master Plan should be developed
for Portugal Cove to ensure the unique character of the area is maintained and preserved. Review
the municipal plan to ensure it enables the creation of a heritage master plan that can propose a
regulatory framework.
Portugal Cove has a number of access, parking and traffic problems that the Department of
Transportation and Works is currently trying to alleviate with the new ferry and upgraded
infrastructure. The Town is doing its part by relocating the existing salt pile to a new, centrally located,
Town Works Depot.
Many new infrastructure developments are underway in Portugal Cove: the expansion of the
breakwater to accommodate a new ferry to Bell Island, a new restaurant and various other local
developments. The ferry terminal building may be relocated to the former fishing premises, which
would provide an opportunity to cross promote the ferry terminal with small scale commercial
developments; and use a portion of the terminal area to interpret the history of the cove and its historic
links to St. John’s, St. Philip’s, Harbour Grace and Bell Island.
As a component of the new breakwater construction, develop a Pier Park at the end of the breakwater
to provide a public gathering place with panoramic views of the cove and the coast towards Cape St.
Francis and Bell Island. From here visitors can interpret the cove’s rich history, watch the ferry dock, or
simply relax.
Another key development worthy of further study is the addition of a breakwater to support possible
expansion of the commercial fishing fleet in Portugal Cove harbour. The Harbour Authority has
suggested that more commercial fishers are looking to use the area as a homeport. This expansion
needs to be assessed in concert with the Province to determine viability and projected economic
benefits.
To be successful, the development project for the Portugal Cove Harbourfront must be integrated with
the work being done by the Department of Transportation and Works and by the private sector.
3. Fish market.
4. Boat tour (Water Taxi) homeport (to Bell Island and St. Philip’s).
5. Boutique developments in former fish stores and potential micro brewery.
6. Transportation interpretation: models, static displays, life-size rowboat.
7. Military history interpretation with the expansion of the developments at the cenotaph.
8. Small-scale housing, rental or affordable housing units.
9. East-coast trail-hub with links to St. Philip’s, Greyman’s Beard and remote campground at
Brocks Head.
10. Cross promote all developments with Bell Island and highlight the Islands assets, such as
the Miners Museum, in all developments at Portugal Cove.
The cost of the Portugal Cove Harbourfront development is contingent on negotiations with the
Department of Transportation and Works, the Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s Harbour Authority, and the
status of the new ferry and proposed breakwater. More planning is required to inform development
and associated costs. The estimated cost for the Heritage Master Plan is $50,000, the estimated cost
of the Portugal Cove Cenotaph ranges from $80,000 – $95,000, and the estimated cost of the proposed
Pier Park ranges from $380,000 - $560,000.
Pier Park
Development pressure is expected to continue. It is important that the Town maintain the visual
quality and “people” scale that makes Portugal Cove a great place. Implement a heritage master plan
to ensure this quality of place is maintained, while allowing new development.
The Town has been working with the local church and the local heritage group to determine the fate
of the original St. Philip’s Church. We recommend that the church be relocated, and reassembled or
replicated, to the Village of St. Philip’s, adjacent to the “By the Beach” fish and chips restaurant. The
church will make a fitting historic centrepiece for the community.
For this workplan, PlaceBuilder™ is focused on adding amenities to both the waterfront and the marina.
The proposed marina developments are focused on working with the Harbour Authority to make the
site the “go to” place for marine-based recreation, offering access to the tour boat (water taxi), kayaking,
and scuba diving. Phase 1 development focuses on the waterfront and includes on-site interpretation and
small commercial kiosks And, to ease parking congestion, we recommend an additional forty parking
spaces, and the development of trails that link to municipal lands and St. Philip’s Church for off-site
parking.
While initial assessments suggested that the existing marina could not be successfully expanded due to
high winds and tides. The Department of Transportation and Works has engaged the Marine Institute
to study wave actions in the Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s area of the bay The purpose of the study is to
inform the construction detailing for the new breakwater, designed to accommodate the new Bell Island
ferry.
This work is near completion and the Department has offered to provide the information to the Town
that will help it to determine if an expanded marina in St. Philip’s is possible. A preliminary assessment
of the marina suggests that it has the potential to accommodate 150-boats. This, however, depends on
confirmation of the marina’s viability by the Marine Institute study. The development of such a facility
will require input and involvement of the Broad Cove Village Residents Committee, and a design that
appropriately incorporates the development with the Village asthetics.
St Philip’s Harbourfront Design Program and Heritage Master Plan consists of the following
components/actions:
1. WWII Interpretation.
2. Marina Development: tour boat, kayak, scuba diving.
3. Accommodations: small scale rental properties.
4. Waterfront: arts & crafts kiosks; public places.
5. East Coast Trail Hub: Links to Rainbow Gully, Portugal Cove, and Beachy Cove Hill.
6. Park & Walk: Parking on lands “available for rent”.
7. Upgrade Thorburn Road and Tucker’s Hill intersection.
8. Relocation of theSt. Philip’s Church to the village.
The Cost of the St. Philip’s Heritage Master Plan is estimated at $50,000.00. This cost does not include
finances required to support future planning or design initiatives. For further information on cost
breakdowns, refer to Appendix C: Development Project Preliminary Costing and Impacts.
Waterfront Section
Locals and visitors use the site to fish or, weather permitting, to sit on the breakwater. Families with
children come here for beach combing and to access and enjoy the water. An on-site fish and chips
restaurant is very busy year round.
The St. Philip’s Village is a very busy and attractive place. However, local residents are concerned
about traffic safety because of the the speed and volume of traffic, the geometry of the main
intersection, the high volume of traffic pulling boat-trailers, and the lack of space for parking.
Central to the proposed developments is a state-of-the-art fully equipped mountain biking facility that
can be promoted as a space for the 2021 Canada Summer Games to be held in the St. John’s Region.
This will require a significant investment but has the potential to position the Town of Portugal Cove –
St. Philip’s as the go to place in Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada for mountain biking.
The design concept for the facility provides opportunities for youth to experience mountain biking
and other nature-based activities such as hiking, canoeing, trouting (the area has three licensed
Rainbow Trout Ponds), remote camping and bird watching. Winter experiences include ice fishing,
snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
The Design Program for the Blast Hole Pond mountain bike and nature based recreation facilities
includes:
The development cost for the Blast Hole Pond project is estimated at $5.2 million. This cost does not
include finances required to support future planning or design initiatives. For further information on
cost breakdowns, refer to Appendix C: Development Project Preliminary Costing and Impacts.
Site Plan
Site Plan
3.5.2 Development Partners for Blast Hole Pond’s Nature Based Recreations
Development Partners include: Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Tourism, Culture and
Recreation, Bicycle NL, local entrepreneurs, the Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s Environment
Committee, and the provincial Department of Recreation and Community Services.
3.5.3 Sources of Funding for Blast Hole Pond’s Nature Based Recreations
The project can be financially supported by the Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s, the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Department of BTCRD, and through industry donations
and philanthropists.
Communities in the United States and British Columbia have done extremely well by positioning
themselves as mountain biking centres.
Mountain bikers tend to use the facility twice daily for a few hours and then look for other recreation
opportunities: like hiking, and kayaking for example. Many mountain bikers prefer to stay in the
communities where they bike. They also seek good coffee shops, healthy food and gravitate to
microbreweries: all three have potential in Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s. The development of small-scale
accommodations that “fit” the architectural vernacular found in Portugal Cove is a viable proposal that
may attract both visitors and local entrepreneurs.
To fully realize the potential of this development, the Town must conduct a marketing plan and
campaign that focuses on attracting mountain bikers to Portugal Cove- St. Philip’s from the Ontario
market from where most tourists to NL originate, Adding mountain biking to the marketing campaign
and focusing on the Ontario niche market should be achievable. But before they come, the town must
build the facility.
In addition to mountain biking, the proposed soft adventure activities at Blast Hole Pond offer
activities for all ages, with a particular focus on youth. Of particular importance are outdoor adventure
camps. Offered in other areas of the province, these camps are extremely popular with youth and
families.
The Blast Hole Pond site is close to the area’s marshlands and provides opportunity for bird watching
(marsh birds, song birds and raptors). Because of the elevation and slope, the area tends to have more
snow longer than lower areas of the community, so winter activities can be maximized. This helps to
create a year-round soft adventure recreation centre for the Town and the Region.
3.5.5 Next Steps for Blast Hole Pond’s Nature Based Recreations
1. Confirm with the Province in partnership with Bicycle NL, that the Town of Portugal Cove -
St. Philip’s will be the venue for the 2021 Canada Summer Games mountain bicycle events.
2. Prepare an agreement in principle with the Summer Games Committee and Bicycle NL for
the development and operation of the facility.
3. Prepare a Development Master Plan for the site that highlights mountain biking as a core
activity but whose development program includes the range of activities that will take
place onsite from a community recreation and tourism product development perspective.
Include in the master plan an economic assessment, return on investment and future
governance model for the facilities.
Site Plan
The Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan proposed the development
of a water-based recreation facility at Miller’s Pond, which borders the Park. Developing this facility
should be considered to support the Town’s offering of water-based recreation programs. Like Blast
Hole Pond, this habitat offers wildlife interpretation with a focus on bird watching and wetland
interpretation. The site can also be used as a hub for the proposed multi-use recreation trail network
for the Town that links this development to Blast Hole Pond.
The Voisey’s Brook Park Recreation and Land Development Design Program consists of the following
components:
1. Water based recreation facility at Miller’s Pond (as per Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s Parks
and Recreation Master Plan).
2. Habitat Conservation Area.
3. Focus on nature and low impact development.
4. Multi-use trail hub, with links to Blast Hole Pond area.
5. The Miller’s Pond Development implemented once the water quality of the Pond has been
confirmed to ensure it is safe for water-based recreation activities.
6. The Master Development Plan for Voisey’s Brook Park should be updated, to integrate the
Miller’s Pond development and mountain biking activity into the conceptual plan for the
Park.
The cost for Voisey’s Brook Park development is estimated at $1.8 million. This cost does not include
finances required to support future planning or design initiatives. For further information on cost
breakdowns, refer too Appendix C: Development Project Preliminary Costing and Impacts.
3.6.2 Development Partners for Voisey’s Brook Park’s Recreation and Land
Development
A development partner is the Town’s Environment Committee. Members can help inform the
appropriate level of development and assist in ensuring the footprint is small and that no negative
impacts occur on the environment.
3.6.3 Source of Funding for Voisey’s Brook Park’s Recreation and Land
Development
Approach ACOA and BTCRD to support the creation of an updated Voisey Brook Park Master Plan
and for capital development dollars to support future work.
3.6.4 Next Steps for Voisey’s Brook Park’s Recreation and Land Development
1. Confirm the water quality of Miller’s Pond and its suitability for water-based recreation
activity.
2. Seek funds to update the Park’s master plan and to develop the site as a mountain biking
trail hub for the Town, prioritize developing the link to Blast Hole Pond.
Site Plan
3.7.1 Description for Neary’s Pond Park’s Recreation and Land Development
Neary’s Pond is in the geographic centre of the Town. The proposed Comprehensive Development
Area on this site can rationalize the existing road network, and create better linkages between Portugal
Cove Road, Broad Cove Road and Witch Hazel Road.
Neary’s Pond is used as a water-based recreation area, with a day-use swimming area at the site. This
area should be removed, and redeveloped with amenities such as parking, washroom facilities and a
concession; and existing trails should be linked to Greyman’s Bread, Beachy Cove Hill and St. Philip’s
Marina. As well, a 300-site RV park is proposed as a central feature of the development, along with a
campground.
Neary’s Pond is adjacent to a significant land mass that was formally part of the Agricultural
Development Area but was recently removed from that zone by the Province. An internal assessment
of the ADA lands has been undertaken through PlaceBuilder™ The results of that assessment suggest
that more rigorous and detailed assessment is required to identify the best lands for development,
agriculture and recreation activities.
PlaceBuilder™proposes that all the former ADA lands bordering Neary’s Pond be rezoned as
Comprehensive Development Areas. The proposed development plan for the area will confirm where
future land uses should occur. Once the study is complete, the location and uses of land and proposed
development will be confirmed. The first phase of development should include the proposed 100+
The Neary’s Pond Master Development Plan cost is estimated at $ 0.3 million. This includes the ADA
lands and would be for a development plan, economic impacts, implementation, and all associated
costing. For further information on cost breakdowns, refer to Appendix C: Development Project
Preliminary Costing and Impacts.
3.7.2 Development Partners for Neary’s Pond Park’s Recreation and Land
Development
The Advisory Committee on the Environment should be involved in the planning process with input
from the agricultural and development community.
3.7.3 Sources of Funding for Neary’s Pond Park’s Recreation and Land Development
Funding can be sought from ACOA and BTCRD.
3.7.4 Motivation for Neary’s Pond Park’s Recreation and Land Development
The Neary’s Pond area is serviced, or adjacent to serviced lands and provides the opportunity to add
density in the development area, and enhance the Town’s tax base. The future development model
should include the concept of development-assisted agriculture. Given that there are two significant
nurseries within the development area, engaging these business owners in the process, and supporting
their expansion plans is encouraged.
Neary’s Pond is used by residents for recreation and access to Beachy Cove Hill and Greyman’s Beard
for walking and berry picking. The swimming area is at a T- intersection, cannot be expanded, has no
parking and represents a safety concern and potential liability for the Town.
RV-ing and camping are much sought after but few high quality camping facilities exist in the St.
John’s area. Pippy Park has seen annual increases in demand for camp sites. A renewed interest in
natural and cultural heritage throughout the province has brought higher numbers of tourists to
campgrounds with high expectations for quality service and amenities. The RV Park in particular,
if programed properly, represents an opportunity to attract an out- of -town, and out- of- province
market. It can provide a significant revenue stream to the Town, or to a local entrepreneur. The Town
needs to determine the future development model for the RV Park and campground, and be aware of
operational requirements including staffing, should the Town decide to be the owner/operator.
3.7.5 Next Steps for Neary’s Pond Park’s Recreation and Land Development
1. Confirm land ownership in the area.
2. Undertake the proposed Comprehensive Development Plan for the combined ADA lands
and the CDAs in the area.
3. Identify the lands for the proposed 228 acre park, within the context of the development
plan, and as a first step develop the proposed day-use swimming area.
The design program for the Farmers’ Market at Tilt House Bakery includes:
1. Open to local farmers (market gardeners) and artisans.
2. Cross-promoted with local bakery.
3. Cross-promoted with community events.
4. Open year round.
5. Potential for expansion to become “The Lester’s Farm of the East.”
The development cost of the Farmers’ Market is estimated at $0.4 million. This cost does not
include finances required to support planning or design initiatives. For further information on cost
breakdowns, refer to Appendix C: Development Project Preliminary Costing and Impacts.
Site Plan
3.8.2 Development Partners for the Farmers’ Market at Tilt House Bakery
The Town can play an active and supporting role in the development and as might the City of St.
John’s, given the site’s proximity and the potential for expansion. Other development partners could
include the Tilt House Bakery, local artisans/craft makers, farmers and entrepreneurs.
3.8.3 Sources of Funding for the Farmers’ Market at Tilt House Bakery
Funding can be sought from ACOA and BTCRD.
Local market gardeners must take turns accessing the St. John’s Farmers Market. This proposed
market will provide opportunities for local vendors to have access to a local market in a busy venue.
Local artists are already selling products at the bakery and some use the facility’s veranda to sell crafts.
A Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s focused market is needed.
The market has the potential to become a destination for St. John’s residents, and can be promoted
specifically to the population in the east end of the City (Airport Heights, Clovelly) which represents
a significant market catchment area. The market will be the catalyst for future industry expansion of
near urban agriculture, with Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s becoming the breadbasket for the east end of
St. Johns.
The demand for market garden produce is significant, and is not being met. As well as crops, the
market is keen for local pork, lamb, chicken and beef. The opportunities for growth are significant
and the agricultural industry needs to elevate its visibility and opportunities. The proposed Farmers
Market will help do that. A key challenge for the Town will be to find the means to allow new farmers to
grow crops and livestock on the land base in the Town. Local farmers’ markets are popular nationally,
and even the larger food chains are cashing in on the trend.
From a PlaceBuilder™ perspective, this is not just a farmer and craft market, but another community
gathering place, a place for people to meet in a relaxing and fun environment. A key to success will be
attracting the local industry to use the facility.
3.8.5 Next Steps for the Farmers’ Market at Tilt House Bakery
Organize a meeting of the local craft producers and market gardeners, to seek input into the proposed
development, its program, operation model and design. Use the meeting to begin the discussion on
the expansion of the farming industry in the community. Confirm the operating model for the facility
and roles and responsibilities.
We recommend a signing and wayfinding system that complements the natural environment and
reflects the identity and culture of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s. Materials used should be of high quality
(such as stone, metal and stylized rivets, and semi-transparent material) and represent unique aspects
of the Town. Based on the Town’s brand – Inspired Living – the following materials descriptions
summarize their significance and are illustrated by graphics.
Semi-transparent Material
Semi-transparent material allows users to look to the sky and the landscapes evoking the rural and
agricultural setting embraced by residents.
The development cost of the proposed signage and wayfinding system is estimated at $ 0.5 million.
This cost does not include finances required to support future planning or design initiatives. For
further information on cost breakdowns, refer to Appendix C: Development Project Preliminary
Costing and Impacts.
Based on consultation with the Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s Department of Parks and Recreation
as well as residents, PlaceBuilder™ has identified six areas for potential neighbourhood parks (see
accompanying map for locations). The Town will need to confirm each site and ensure they have
access to the land. Each Neighbourhood Park program will be distinct, based on local demographics
and physical conditions.
For further information on cost breakdowns, refer to Appendix C: Development Project Preliminary
Costing and Impacts. Refer to overall Work Plan Map for Placements of proposed Neighbourhood
Parks.
3.11 Lookouts
3.11.1 Description of Lookouts
Lookouts enable users to better view and appreciate their surroundings. Building on themes of
Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s heritage, its rural character, beautiful views and access to the land and
ocean, the proposed lookouts will foster the community’s sense of place.
PlaceBuilder™ has identified four Lookouts that will highlight unique aspects of Portugal Cove – St.
Philip’s:
1. Portugal Cove Road Roadside Rest Area (accessed from Portugal Cove Road, with views to
Harbour and the wider community).
2. Greyman’s Beard (accessed from major proposed trail network, The Path, with a dramatic
overview of Portugal Cove).
3. Portugal Cove Community Lookouts (accessed from North Point Rd. / East Coast Trail,
offering views to Bell Island and traditional community along North Point Rd).
4. Broad Cove (accessed from Coady’s Rd., Lambswood Lane, and along trail network, offering
a series of connected viewpoints, varying in size).
The development cost of the four proposed Lookouts is estimated at $ 0.7 million. This cost does not
include finances required to support future planning or design initiatives. For further information on
cost breakdowns, refer to Appendix C: Development Project Preliminary Costing and Impacts.
The preparation cost of an Advanced Street Network Plan is estimated at $100,000. This cost does not
include finances required to support future planning or design initiatives. For further information on
cost breakdowns, refer to Appendix C: Development Project Preliminary Costing and Impacts.
3.14 Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s Place Builder Economic Impact Analysis
The economic impacts associated with the recommended projects have been assessed through the
PlaceBuilder™ Economic Impact Model. This model estimates the Gross Domestic Product (GDP),
personal income and employment impacts associated with construction activity and subsequent
operation of the proposed facilities. The following tables show the construction impacts that will occur
in the year the facilities are built. Both the operational and tourism impacts occur annually.
The following impacts are associated with the St. Philip’s Marina Public Infrastructure including
various Kiosks, the proposed Farmers Market /Expanded Bakery and the new Mountain Biking
Facility, only at this time.
1. Total construction costs will be in the order of $6.3 million.
2. Annual operating costs will be approximately $700,000 of which $336,000 will be paid in
wages.
3. On average these developments will attract 75 tourists daily (people from outside of NL)
who will spend $100 – $150 per day.
4. All facilities will encourage increased spending by residents in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s.
NOTE: the new facilities have the potential to increase the commercial tax base for the town by
generating incremental commercial tax revenue.
When completed, the Town Centre re-development project will also add significantly to the
residential and commercial tax base as a result of the construction of new housing units and the major
development of commercial space. Both new residents and new businesses will be attracted to town.
No attempt has been made to estimate economic impacts associated with the Town Centre concept.
4.0 Implementation:
PlaceBuilder Strategy
™
PlaceBuilder™ is not simply a series of projects, but an integrated community driven, economic
development model. Success is driven by appropriate and effective policy, which results in good
planning tools and guidelines for co-ordinated development the Town can implement over the long
term.
Successful implementation will be a challenge without dedicated Council support, and the
human resources required to manage the process. To ensure the success of the PlaceBuilder™
Community Work Plan, the Town should consider appointing an experienced “champion” to drive
the implementation of PlaceBuilder™. Working with investors, funding partners and the business
community, the champion will be the public face of PlaceBuilder™. Together with Council, the
champion will recruit community volunteers to oversee the implementation of each development
project listed in the Community Work Plan. With the oversight committee in place, contract a project
manager to initiate and manage the implementation work. Funding for this position may be assessed
as a percentage of the funds the Town can access from federal, provincial and private sources. The
team will report directly to the Town Manager and present to Council as required.
The addition of a new full-time Town staff planner (MCIP) to manage the planning studies and
participate in community engagement opportunities will augment the team.
Three key implementation phases are described as follows concluded with an Evaluation Model
that will enable council and Town administrators to monitor success and make adjustments to the
Community Work Plan as needed.
Using the implementation schedule described in the next section, the phases of the evaluation process
are as follows:
1. Council begins implementing policies and projects to be initiated in the short term, with help of
Town staff.
2. At the end of each implementation year, Town staff shall prepare a report outlining:
a. Those recommendations of PlaceBuilder™ that have been initiated and outcome and level of
success;
b. Those recommendations that have not be initiated and why;
c. Actions to be implemented the following year; and
d. Mitigating circumstances which may affect or require the alteration of recommendations to be
implemented.
3. Council will hold a community forum periodically to outline to the accomplishments, successes,
and misses. Recommendations to be implemented in the coming year will also be presented.
This approach will ensure ongoing community engagement and residents’ participation in the
implementation process.
A review of public comments in conjunction with the staff report will determine possible
amendments to the recommendations or schedule.
4. Staff will present its report to Council outlining accomplishments of the previous year, direction
for the coming year, priority of recommendations to be implemented, including amendments, and
implications to budgets.
As the project evolves and milestones are successfully accomplished, Council and the community
may see a demonstrated need to readjust certain projects based on changing community needs and
economic realities. Some the timing or intent of projects may change – flexibility and compromise will
be essential.
5.0 CONCLUSION
Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s has embarked on an ambitious journey to manage growth and define its
future. With a goal to embrace the community’s desire to retain and protect important rural, cultural
and natural assets that create Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s unique sense of place, Council seeks an
innovative and comprehensive planning approach that will preserve the quality of life that committed
residents value.
Realizing that traditional land-use planning approaches fall short of its goal, Council took the
proactive step of engaging the PlaceBuilder™ model for building community. Based on creating
complete communities, and augmented by economic modelling, PlaceBuilder™engages residents to
interpret those elements about a community that foster a sense of place and strengthen community
attachment. By identifying these significant elements that differentiate Portugal Cove – St. Philips
from its neighbours, PlaceBuilder™ creates a unique community vision, connects that vision to a
brand and marketing strategy, defines recommendations for growth management and profiles specific
development projects in a Community Work Plan.
Appendix A:
BACKGROUND REPORT
The Background Report presented here describes the background research and supporting documents
sourced on issues related to the Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s. This report supports the
Community Work Plan of which it is a part and provides a long-term comprehensive framework for
land-use decision making in the community. This is important because it affects everyday life for
people in the community through policies about where and how land use projects and conceptual
projects will be developed. Policies shape how our neighbourhoods will look and feel in the next
twenty years or longer. The report outlines policy directions, recommendations and guidelines while
also providing provincial and local planning contexts for future development in the Town of Portugal
Cove - St. Philip’s (PCSP).
The PlaceBuilder™ Community Work Plan aims to establish a better living environment within the
Town, by taking into account important social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors. The
graphic below, which outlines each step of the PlaceBuilder™ process, illustrates how PlaceBuilder™
works in developing an overarching Community Work Plan.
As described in the main body of this report, Listen is the first of five steps in the PlaceBuilder™
community development model. To hear what participants from the Town of Portugal Cove St. Philips
wanted to say, we met with Council, town staff, community groups and stakeholders, business owners,
and residents of all ages to record what they like and do not like about the Town.
Methodology
The Listen methodology employs a three phased-approach:
1. Research.
2. Community engagement.
3. Recommendations for future development.
This research phase was designed to identify significant aspects of the Town’s history, natural and
built environment, and to examine the trends in tourism and recreation, including economic impacts
where data and other information was available. This included:
• A review of previous plans completed by the Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s with a
particular focus on economic, business and recreation needs.
• An examination of selected Town experiences with marina and beach front developments.
• An overview of a number of harbours/marinas on the Avalon Peninsula to document the
capacity and current environment for recreational boaters.
With the primary research phase complete the community engagement phase (public consultation)
solicits feedback on opportunities and challenges for development to identify:
• Options for consideration.
• Future roles and governance considerations.
The consultation process began with a site visit led by the Town CAO, Mr. Chris Milley, P. Eng,
followed by a day-long workshop with Town Council and senior staff. The aim was to gain an
understanding of deliverables, project considerations, and priorities. With this information the
subsequent engagement process included meetings and discussions with the general public, youth
and local businesses.
Key findings of the consultation efforts provide the basis for the outcome generated during the
recommendations for future development phase. They are a direct result of findings from compiling
and analyzing background research and from listening and documenting public information and
feedback generated during consultation with engaged participants.
Community Engagement
During the PlaceBuilder™ planning process from May 2015 to April 2015, Tract consulted with
community groups and residents for the Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s. Throughout this period,
community participants were given several opportunities to engage with the process. Tract Consulting
ensured that the engagement process was ongoing, as public and special committee meetings were
held up until they submitted the draft final report. The consultation process offered an accessible,
broad approach to seek feedback on resident views values, and visions for their Portugal Cove - St.
Philip’s.
Key Findings
Following consultations, Tract Consulting identified three preliminary development priorities for the
Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s:
• Key Heritage Assets/Special Places
• Land Use Planning
• Agricultural Lands
Consultation confirmed that stronger development policies are needed for new and current zones,
and that municipal plan amendments and re-zoning should be less frequent. Further to this, residents
and Council must more fully understand land use policy and related planning documents, and the
power that comes with such better understanding. The Town also understands that it needs detailed
comprehensive development schemes to direct future land use and the ability to tie comprehensive
development to a return-on-investment (ROI) model and enhance the community tax base. Any
changes to the municipal plan should be policy-driven, not development-driven, and considered in the
wider context of the entire community.
A connected, walkable community that employs traffic calming measures to make it safe, has emerged
as a major area for improvement in the Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s. Residents have stated that
traffic speed is a concern in many areas of the Town, and there are too many cul-de-sacs that impede
street network connectivity and require higher maintenance costs. Residents seek walkable, connected
neighbourhoods that are attractive, and safe, and in close proximity to nature, parks and trails, and
maintain the important rural character of PCSP.
Agricultural Lands
Recently, one thousand one hundred fifty five acres of the Agricultural Development Area (ADA)
have been removed from this designation by the Province. The PlaceBuilder™ process undertook
an initial assessment of the potential and suitability of these lands to support farming. The majority
of these lands are privately owned. The Province’s objective in bringing an additional two hundred
acres of agricultural land into production is challenged by many landowners who favour housing
developments and the higher rate of return on the land that these developments bring. Thus, access to
this land to expand farming operations is a constant challenge.
In addition to land development conflicts, are the protests of neighbouring residents who do not want
active husbandry (care, cultivation, and/or breeding of crops and animals). However there are other
residents who are proponents of active agriculture use.
The global trend favouring the purchase and consumption of locally grown food applies to Portugal
Cove - St. Philips. The Town has seven active market gardens and additional farms that can support
a local farmers’ market. Currently, local farmers sell all of their crops, but the opportunity to expand
and add new farm operations is hampered by the lack of access to farmland. Much of the garden
produce by market gardeners in Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s is destined for restaurants in St. John’s.
Our consultations also confirmed that demand exists for locally produced meat. This represents an
important economic development opportunity for the Town, however, realizing the opportunity is a
challenge due to the small number of farm operations and the limited ability to access viable farmland.
The Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philips is also home to artists and local crafts producers who would
benefit from an indoor/outdoor facility that could support year-round use. Local artisans currently
display and sell their products at the Tilt House Bakery on Portugal Cove Road.
Firstly, during the Take Stock component of PlaceBuilder™, the partners considered all community
assets in Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s in terms of what makes the community distinct. These include:
• Intangible assets such as significant heritage and cultural markers or events in the
community.
• Physical assets, such as the natural and built environments.
Secondly, during Take Stock the partners review the overall planning context in the town, including
all necessary planning documents and policies that already exist. Finally, based on the information
gleaned from significant assets and the planning context, PlaceBuilder™ identifies Key Development
Needs, such as land use policy, infrastructure and branding.
Review of the planning context includes the assessment of these planning documents for the Town of
Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s:
• The current Municipal Plan and Development Regulations.
• The Recreation Master Plan.
• The Integrated Community Sustainability Plan.
• The Economic Strategic Development Plan.
In addition, PlaceBuilder™ also assessed current designated land uses, such as Comprehensive
Development Scheme Areas (CDAs), Agricultural Development Areas (ADAs), environmentally
valuable areas and heritage areas, Also included in its comprehensive assessment is capital works and
ongoing projects.
Community Assets
Culture and Heritage
Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s culture and heritage is considered to be an anchor by the Town in
developing tourism. Every two years festivals are held to celebrate their maritime history: the Portugal
Cove - St. Philip’s Festival and Regatta, and the Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s End of Season Regatta.
The Town’s Heritage Committee has published Our Heritage. This book highlights significant
historical elements and events in the Town. The committee is currently in the process of developing
heritage guidelines for the Town. Some of the many historical features include natural heritage assets
such as cultural landscapes, trails and lookouts, and historical events such as the World War II German
U-Boat attacks between St. Philips and Bell Island; maritime history; and local family history. While
adjacent to the capital city of St. John’s, the Town maintains a rural charm that is one of its most
attractive features. Planning is underway for a Town archive and museum and the Heritage Committee
is engaged in an oral history project.
Natural Environment
Coastlines and hilltop views are highly valued in Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s. Land ownership and land
use controls are important concerns affecting access to and integrity of look-outs and viewscapes
(such as Grey Man’s Bear, Beachy Cove Hill and others). Maintaining access to these views (including
trail access) is an important concern to the community. Impacts of residential land development can
be far reaching. Tree preservation, lot grading, and locations for housing in the wider landscape may
have a substantial visual impact on the character of large land-based viewscapes.
Rainbow Gully Recreation Park is situated behind the Town Hall on Thorburn Road and offers a
children’s playground and outdoor recreational facilities for softball, soccer, rugby and skateboarding.
The Park has an artificial turf soccer pitch and lighting, and a concession building to expand its
services for local residents. A new school is proposed adjacent to the soccer pitch. The Town also
operates the Portugal Cove–St. Philip’s Community Centre near the Town Hall in Rainbow Gully
Recreation Park. It is planning to replace this structure with a new recreation-lifestyle centre. The new
centre will be a centrally located fitness, aquatic, cultural and community facility.
Voisey’s Brook Park is a key municipal park for the Town. The Park is located at the opposite end
of Town on Indian Meal Line and contains softball, basketball, soccer facilities and a playground. A
Master Plan has been developed for area that is currently being implemented. Included in the plan is
the development of a series of multi-use trails, with connections to other natural and recreation areas
such as Blast Hole Pond. Blast Hole Pond is currently designated as a Provincial Habitat Conservation
Area. As such, development in the area should “go softly on the land.”
Economic Development
The three major upcoming industries in Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s are agriculture, tourism and
construction. The agriculture industry has been growing since 1993, with the most prominent activities
being dairy, food processing, silage production, vegetable and greenhouse production, sod farming,
landscaping, and livestock production. The farm-to-table movement has resonated well within the
province, and among the local residents are those who are dedicated to preserving the quality of
available local foods.
Tourism is another booming sector, with accommodations and restaurants turning the heads of
travellers. With spectacular coastline, cultural festivals, hiking trails, and some dining options, PCSP
is gaining recognition as a place to explore. But there is a great deal of room for further development.
The slide of the Canadian dollar compared to the US$ means more Canadians will likely be
vacationing closer to home and visitations from the US will likely climb. This offers potential tourism
gains for PCSP. And the proximity of St. John’s International Airport (less than ten minutes from the
town) adds to the potential for attracting visitations.
The current downward pressure on oil and gas prices has had a negative impact on employment in
the oil and gas sector and supporting industries in the province. But prior to 2014, Newfoundland’s
employment rate was growing at almost double the national rate, thanks to many natural resource
based industries, particularly oil and gas, and hydropower. On the Avalon Peninsula, jobs in oil and gas
extraction had grown by ten percent in recent years, while jobs related to supporting this sector grew
by a healthy twenty-nine percent.
Other sectors continue to grow, with the low Canadian dollar favouring manufacturing and export.
This region is an important centre for emerging technologies in Canada. A prime example is the
province’s advanced technology sector which is largely based on the Avalon Peninsula. It employs
more than three thousand seven hundred people who generate $1.62-billion in revenue annually.
That is six percent of the provincial GDP. Between 2006 and 2011, jobs in professional, scientific, and
technical services grew by forty-eight percent.
This kind of regional economic growth directly affects the growth of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s. It is
now one of the largest municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador and because of its proximity
to the capital and business centre of the province, has much opportunity to mature as a thriving
community. The Town has a skilled labour force, and the town has seen tremendous growth in primary
industries, trades, transport, and equipment operations since 2001.
Transportation Infrastructure
The two main roadways in the Town—Portugal Cove Road and Thorburn Road—are managed by the
Province and each is in need of upgrading. Neither of them meets Transportation Association of
Canada design standards. Residents consistently complain to the Town officials that these roads are
unsafe. The SAFE PCSP Resident Committee recently submitted a report to Council outlining specific
traffic safety concerns:
• Traffic speeds are too high, (particularly traffic for the Bell Island ferry) and for the most
part, there are no sidewalks.
• There are high and increasing numbers of cars using each of the main routes.
• Approximately three thousand cars per day use Portugal Cove Road.
• No formal traffic counts are available for Thorburn Road but observations by residents
suggest that traffic on there is increasing significantly in part because residents of Paradise
use it as an alternative route to the Outer Ring Road because of traffic congestion at rush
hour at the Topsail Road entry to Paradise.
The challenge for the Town is that, while it agrees both roads need upgrading, they have no authority
to undertake improvements because the roads are provincially-maintained routes. The Town has
suggested to the Province that, should these roads be upgraded to an acceptable standard, it would be
open to discussion on taking over the maintenance functions.
Street Network
Because of subdivision design guidelines and land ownership, the street network is causing problems
for the Town. Some of these problems were created by the Town because of its lack of consistency
in design guidelines, approving developments with no sidewalks, no requirements for vegetation
or storm water management, and no requirement for community amenities such as parks and trails.
Residents in these areas are isolated on dead-end street with no pedestrian connectivity and the land
base is not well used.
Because the street network contains so many cul-de-sacs, and because some are installed at an
undesirable scale, increased human resources and equipment are needed for snow clearing.
To introduce consistency and community oriented values in development, the Town must move away
from suggesting design guidelines which cannot be enforced. What is required is for the Town of
Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s to as soon as possible adopt new Town development and design standards
that will provide the appropriate enforceable and enabling legislation for its network of streets.
Suggested ‘design guidelines’ cannot be enforced and have no binding power, whereas Town
development and design ‘standards’ must be prescribed and therefore ensure that appropriate design
elements will be enforced. We suggest that the Town of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s adopt new Town
development and design standards that will provide the appropriate enabling legislation.
Water/Sewer
The Town has two sewage treatment facilities operating at fifty percent capacity, leaving adequate
capacity for future development. The Town is also connected to the regional water supply, however,
three are some older developments that are still on individual well water and septic systems
From a sustainable planning and ROI perspective, Tract Consulting encourages the Town to focus
new developments on areas that are serviced, or in close proximity to municipal services. As well,
the Town has made significant investment in sewage treatment facilities that support serviced lands
development. Should the Town decide to undertake developments in areas that are under serviced,
then investigating alternative public treatment systems, versus typical individual septic systems,
should be investigated.
Recreation Facilities
Residents want a new recreation facility and the Town is seriously considering the development of a
new lifestyle centre. Residents also want more access to trails and neighbourhood parks. In response,
the Town has added two new parks and continues to add on to the trail system.
Planning Context
History of Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s 1
Although created fairly recently through amalgamation, the Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s
embodies a unique identity enriched by its history, with its own stories and experiences to offer.
Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s can trace its history back to the 1500s, when Portuguese explorer Gasper
Corte Real stopped in the area to bury two of his crew who died at sea. St. Philip’s (at the time, known
as Broad Cove) was settled in the 1750s by the first permanent residents, the Tuckers and Squires from
England. Squires and Tuckers still live in the Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s, and the Town still has many
old, standing churches and cemeteries. Horse Cove Road, the main Town thoroughfare, was completed
in 1831, connecting Broad Cove to St. John’s and reducing the isolation. Residents could travel more
easily and directly to St. John’s to sell fish and produce and to purchase supplies.
1
Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s “Our Heritage” text and http://www.pcsp.ca/?Content=Visiting/About_Our_Town/History.
Accessed Mar. 3, 2015.
Given its location on the southern shore of Conception Bay, fishing remained the primary means of
employment and survival within the two out-port fishing villages for decades. However, since fishing is
seasonal, local men worked in the Bell Island ore mines during the winter.
In 1905, in response to a recommendation by the local Reverend Canon Smith, the residents of Broad
Cove changed the name of their community to St. Philip’s, in honour of the community church.
This name change was necessitated because mail was being misdirected to a second Broad Cove in
Conception Bay.
Municipal Plan
Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s is one of fifteen towns and cities forming the St. John’s Urban Region.
The intent of the Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s Municipal Plan and Development Regulations, like
other municipal plans in the region, is to administer and control future land development in order to
enhance and protect the town and respect the residents’ long term vision.
In addition to the Municipal Plan and Development Regulations for the Town, other relevant planning
documents, have been produced to respond to land-use activities and proposed developments. These
include the following documents:
• Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP);
• Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s Municipal and Recreation Master Plan;
• St. John’s Urban Region (Agriculture) Development Area Report (ADA); and
• Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s Heritage Plan.
A brief overview of these documents is outlined in the following section.
In 1992 the towns of Portugal Cove and St. Philip’s amalgamated to create the 56.43 square kilometre
Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s, one of the physically largest municipalities in Newfoundland and
Labrador. It borders the City of St. John’s on the east and the Town of Paradise on the west.
Today, with eighty-five percent of its working population travelling outside of the Town to work, and
with limited commercial opportunity, Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s is largely a commuter town. Its rural
environment and rich culture are main attractions for residents because the amenities that are there
are easily accessible. The Trans-Canada Highway is within a five-minute drive; it is a ten-minute drive
to the St. John’s International Airport, and a twenty-minute drive to downtown St. John’s.
Land Area
The land area of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s consists of approximately five thousand nine hundred and
seventy hectares (59.7 km2). The land base is characterized by the following attributes:
1. Steep coastline to the west along Conception Bay.
2. Diverse distribution of ponds, streams and brooks.
3. Significant rural area lands and the Blast Hole protected watershed to the north;
4. Windsor Lake watershed and the St. John’s airport to the east;
5. Serviced lands within the central area and adjacent southerly locations;
6. Historic community coves within Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s.
The geographical diversity of development patterns within the community has resulted in a relatively
low population density. Of the fifteen communities identified in the 2011 Census with a total
population greater than five thousand residents, ten municipalities have a larger concentration of
residents to land base than Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s. Over the past five years, however, the Town’s
population density has increased from one hundred fourteen to one hundred twenty eight persons per
square kilometer.
The challenge for the Town will be to effectively manage and encourage more compact growth and
development in a manner that reflects economic realities and efficient use of infrastructure and
services, and ensures that the rural character and livability of the community is maintained and
enhanced.
The expansion and diversification of the town’s economic base was identified as one of the goals under
Economic Sustainability, with the completion of an Economic Plan was recommended as an important
next step objectives. The Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s ICSP identifies five main pillars of sustainability
and categories for action in the community:
1. Environment
2. Economy
3. Culture
4. Society
5. Governance
2
ICSP Guidelines. Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
http://www.miga.gov.nl.ca/publications/icsp/. Accessed March 5, 2015.
Environmental Sustainability: consumption, resource use and waste; materials and energy; land,
place, and space; water and air; wildlife, habitat, and food; and infrastructure.
Economic Sustainability: production and resourcing; exchange and transfer of resources and goods;
accounting and regulation; labour and welfare; and wealth and distribution.
Cultural Sustainability: community identity; tradition and heritage traditional ecological knowledge
vernacular architecture and urban form; and memory and meaning.
Social Sustainability: health and well-being of Town residents and community members. This also
includes supporting: enquiry and learning initiatives; recreation and active living; and a good quality
of life and family.
Governance Sustainability: organization and structure; justice and security representation and
negotiation; dialogue and reconciliation; ethics and accountability.
Heritage Report
The Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s has a number of heritage sites –in the natural and built
environments – that are worthy of protection for the preservation of the Town’s unique heritage, for the
cultural opportunities that it represents and for the development and expansion of tourism.
The link between culture and tourism is the most visible aspect of the contribution of culture and local
development. When tourism is identified as part of an overall development strategy, the identification,
protection, and enhancement of natural and built historic resources is vital for any sustainable effort.
3
Raja, Tousif. “Cultural Heritage and Its Importance.” http://www.cultivatingculture.com/2013/04/05/the-importance-of-
cultural-heritage/.Accessed: Mar. 3, 2015.
6. The White Property (1800 Irish farmhouse Wexford style on Beachy Cove Road).
7. War Memorial (built in memory of those who lost their lives in the first and second World
Wars; first monument built shortly after WWI).
Trails / Lookouts / Landforms/Ocean
1. Goat Cove Trail (once the only connection by land between Portugal Cove and St. Philip’s).
2. Root Cellar (1820 root cellar at Murray’s Garden Centre, Portugal Cove Road; has been in
continuous use since construction).
3. Rubble Walls (not a lot known about structures, but similar structures have been preserved
in other areas of province; estimated construction between 1700s and 1900s).
4. Portugal Cove Wharf and Ferry Dock (provided travel to Bay Roberts, Brigus, and Harbour
Grace).
Some examples of Natural Heritage found in Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s are listed below:
Trails / Lookouts / Landforms
1. Greyman’s Beard (one of most prominent physical features of Town; offers expansive view
of Conception Bay).
2. Blast Hole Pond Hill (named after resemblance to holes caused by iron ore mine blasting
on Bell Island; provides excellent view of Conception Bay).
3. Portugal Cove Geeze (contains several old gravestones that make up Northern Point
Cemetery; located on Northern Point Road).
Ocean Heritage
1. The Tickle (1st Ferry service to Bell Island, 1974).
2. Beachy Cove Beach (secluded beach with beautiful waterfall dropping into sea).
The Report of the St. John’s Urban Region (Agriculture) Development Area Review Commission
made its Report to the Province in June, 2008. The report was adopted by Government and the
recommended changes for deletion of lands came into effect June 7, 2013. The report recommended
six changes for the Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s.
NOTE: For the “Preliminary Analysis Report of Lands Removed from the ADA,” see Appendix D.
4
Ibid.
Future Development
A young, growing population has positive implications for residential development and the types
of businesses and services with sustainable environmental and other considerations factored into
development considerations.5
PlaceBuilder™, in consultation with the Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s, has identified a number
of policy recommendations pertaining to governance, land use planning, land preservation, visual
quality of the town, infrastructure, agriculture, culture/heritage and economic development. These
policy recommendations, once adopted, will serve as a starting point for the Town of Portugal Cove -
St. Philip’s in strengthening an informed, consistent and sustainable approach to manage municipal
growth.
The policies are outlined in general accordance with the PlaceBuilder™ priorities that were discussed
at a planning session with the Town. Some recommendations include the development of a Planning
Advisory Committee with two council members and one representative each from the business
community, a community organization, an environmental group, three citizens at large, and a land
developer.
5
Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s “Our Heritage” text and http://www.pcsp.ca/?Content=Visiting/About_Our_Town/History.
Accessed Mar. 3, 2015.
Based on the PlaceBuilder™ process, Tract Consulting further recommends that the Town:
1. Prepare a new and expanded Council policy, and regulatory, and financial strategies to
manage growth.
2. Develop and implement Community Character and Site Development Standards.
3. Draft Alternative Development Standards.
4. Prepare Farmland Preservation standards.
5. Establish a Land Inventory Mix (including the identification and designation of a potential
site for a future Town Centre).
6. Identify Tourism Opportunities.
Infrastructure Needs
A range of standards applied to infrastructure development in the past have worked with varying
degrees of success. Due in part to inconsistencies in these standards, the economic and visual impacts
of current standards is not well understood. PCSP needs to ensure standards create a safe, functional,
affordable and attractive community. Advanced planning for roadway and service networks is urgently
needed. In some areas street retrofits are needed to slow traffic and enhance pedestrian safety.
step 3: Gather
The Gather section of PlaceBuilder™ directs the Town to a program of need based on identified
benchmarks. It compiles and assesses data from the Listen and Take Stock components and details
what needs to be done to advance the Community Plan.
The success of such a strategy is to apply good community design, advanced street network planning,
and enhanced neighbourhood amenity planning.
Should the town need to expand into unserviced areas, then an alternative form of waste disposal
should be employed versus the typical septic system and septic field. As well, a formal water supply
assessment for quality and quantity should be completed together with a review of innovative
technologies and systems of delivery.
The findings from PlaceBuilder™ suggests that the Town consider the entire area in the context of a
Comprehensive Development Scheme Area and proposed Development Scheme that is linked to the
CDAs in the Neary’s Pond area. In addition to identifying lands suitable for development, this work
can also identify wetlands and other environmentally sensitive lands and natural features that should
be preserved.
Appenidix B:
Policy Recommendations
Project Name: Portugal Cove – St. Philip’s PlaceBuilderTM Policy Recommendations
Overview
The Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s seeks to more effectively manage growth and change within
its boundaries. Current demands for residential land developments are creating strain on resources
and require comprehensive community planning. This is due in large part to the effects on the local
population increase/ infrastructure services/ transportation/ environmental and community services
that result from such development. The Town wishes to establish an innovative land use framework
and governance strategy to more effectively and positively shape, influence and determine the future
character of the community.
The following policy recommendations serve as a starting point for the Town Council of Portugal Cove
- St. Philip’s to consider in implementing a potential new municipal direction. The policies are outlined
in general accordance with the PlaceBuilder™ priorities that were discussed at the planning session
held on Saturday, 10 May 2014.
Governance
Goals and Objectives: It is recommended that Council commence a process— typically performed in
conjunction with the annual budget process—of identifying annual, five-year and twenty-year Council
and municipal departmental goals and objectives. The resulting list of goals and objectives should
be succinct, achievable, and pragmatic. The list should include an assignment of who will be the lead
entity responsible for completing the task, when it will be done and how much the specific objective
may cost. Semi-annual progress update sessions are required.
Planning Advisory Committee: It is recommended that Council develop a Terms of Reference and
pursue formation of a volunteer Council-appointed Planning Advisory Committee to provide input
and recommendations to Council on proposed land and building developments. Representation on
the committee should not exceed nine individuals, including two Council persons, and possibly one
representative from each of the business community, a community organization, an environmental
group and land developers as well as three citizens at large.
Council Policy, Regulatory and Financial strategies: It is recommended that the Town prepare
new and expanded Council policy, regulatory and financial strategies to manage growth. The
Key elements of an updated municipal direction should include the following components:
1. Revised subdivision development guidelines and standards.
2. Compilation of parkland acquisition strategy that identifies open space properties for
future purchase.
3. Drafting of advance street plans to enable the community to become more connected.
4. Identification of the preferred land use mix and development priority for residential
development scheme areas.
5. Introduction of new developer-pay financial requirements of development cost charges for
infrastructure and community amenities projects.
Visual Quality
Community Character and Site Development Guidelines: Based on the results of the PlaceBuilder™
process, Tract Consulting recommends that Council develop an approach to preserve the rural and
natural character of the community. Council should support enhanced site development aesthetics
through preparation and application of general design guidelines for sites, buildings, landscape and
signage. Furthermore Council should provide for tree and vegetative planting along streets within new
developments. Council should also develop policies for tree and forest mat retention, establishment
of steep-slope lands standards, maintenance of tree ridges on hillsides, and protection of significant
community and coastal views.
Heritage Preservation: Based on the results of the PlaceBuilder™ process, Tract Consulting
recommends that Council, in conjunction with the Heritage Committee, prepare an inventory of local
buildings, sites and traditional neighbourhoods of historic and cultural significance. And based on that
list Council ought to establish policy guidelines to protect and preserve this character, and to regulate
the development of new homes and land uses within and adjacent to recognized locations of important
heritage value.
Infrastructure
Alternative Development Standards: Based on the results of the PlaceBuilder™ process, Tract
Consulting recommends that Council consider a revised engineering approach to address the
development and subdivision of land and related infrastructure servicing requirements. This would
include but should not be limited to new design standards for street profiles and widths, location
of sidewalks and utility corridors, alignment of roads, traffic circulation, storm water management
options, hydrological assessment review of existing saturated soils area lands, diversity and quality
of open spaces provided through site developments, and expanded parkland choices for varied
demographic groups.
Agriculture
Farmland Preservation: Based on the results of the PlaceBuilder™ process, Tract Consulting
recommends that Council undertake a soils capability, drainage and farmland inventory assessment to
identify valued agricultural lands to designate, preserve, protect and promote.
Community Farming Initiatives: Tract Consulting recommends that Council develop an agricultural
and food security policy focus to support efforts to expand and strengthen the local agricultural
identity. The policy ought to recognize the importance of maintaining existing farming operations,
and explore options for a viable farmer’s market, community gardens, accessory agricultural uses,
greenhouses and varied farm businesses.
Culture/ Heritage
Cultural/ Heritage Assets: Based on the results of the PlaceBuilder™ process, Tract Consulting
recommends that Council identify, preserve and promote the community’s heritage of farming and
fishing through continued partnership with the local Heritage Committee, maintenance of historic
building forms and landscapes, introduction of historic story-telling opportunities in new public
spaces, and strengthening of guidelines to enable new developments and community events to
complement existing cultural and historic assets.
Street and Parkland Naming: Based on findings from the PlaceBuilder™ process, Tract Consulting
recommends that Council prepare an historical naming list for streets and parklands based on
community pioneers, World War veterans and other significant people who helped build the
community. The list might also include names of historic boats and ferries that have served the
community.
Economic Development
Land Inventory Mix: Based on the results of the PlaceBuilder™ process, Tract Consulting recommends
that Council identify and designate a location of sufficient area with safe and convenient access to
facilitate market development of a new Town Centre commercial area. The Town Centre will provide
local residents with enhanced retail, office, small business, business hub, personal services and mixed
use opportunities close to home. The Centre will also enable the Town to diversify and expand the
economic development land use mix within the community to generate business opportunities,
increase opportunities for local employment and increase the municipal tax revenue.
Development Corporation: Tract Consulting also recommends that Council continue to explore the
feasibility of forming a municipal development corporation. Comprised of Council members, the
development corporation would be a catalyst to initiate community economic development project
activity.
Home Based Businesses: PlaceBuilder™ findings led Tract Consulting to recommend that Council
eliminate the taxation levy to home occupation businesses in favour of a new bi-annual business
license fee, and support a partnership approach of assisting local home-based businesses to expand
and prosper through a revised and consultative policy and regulatory framework.
Summary
The Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s has tremendous opportunity to shape, manage and measure
community growth and diversification. The proposed Policy Statement options represent a strategic
framework for Council to consider in moving forward.
Appendix C:
Development Project
Preliminary Costs
and Impacts
The developments outlined below suggest the capital development costs of Phase 1 projects and the
impact on the GDP, employment, etc. For PlaceBuilder™ we have worked with consulting economists
Gardiner Pinfold to develop an economic model for smaller site-specific developments. Over time,
with monitoring of the detailed economic impacts, the PlaceBuilder™ projects can be confirmed and
measured.
The majority of the projects listed below are community-wide and have measurable economic impacts,
such as the proposed integrated signage and wayfinding system, and those that are the first phase
of a larger development plan that set the stage for future larger development, for example, Phase 1,
Waterfront Developments at St. Philips.
The focus of the economics to date is to illustrate to the Town and the funding agencies the regional
and economic impacts of the developments.
Note: These costs do not include the finances required to support future planning or design initiatives.
Signage is a key community element identified by the PlaceBuilder™ process. The following family of
signs has been identified to complete a comprehensive system for Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s. Designs
will reinforce “Inspired Living” tag line through the use of signage colours and material. An order-
of-magnitude cost estimate is provided based on existing information and design intent. Additional
concept design and detail will be required to refine costs. Sign quantities are assumed.
Assumed Phase
SIGN TYPE DESCRIPTION Quantity/
1 2 3
Cost
Provides unique/differentiating
1.
identity at major entrance points 2 @ 38,500 77,000 N/A N/A
Gateway Primary
to the community.
2. Identity at minor community
3 @ 26,000 78,000 N/A N/A
Gateway Secondary entrances.
Located at the communities major
3. attractions and facilities such as
5 @ 23,500 47,000 23,500 23,500
Major Attractions marinas and major parks. Include
wayfinding map of community.
Smaller version of above.
4. Provides continuity in
5 @ 12,000 12,000 24,000 24,000
Minor Attractions recognizing all municipal
facilities.
Unique directional signs located
5.
at key community intersections
Directional Finger 6 @ 850 1,700 1,700 1,700
only. Provides general direction to
Sign
key attractions.
Generally associated with
6.
proposed lookouts, viewpoints 18 @ 1,200 4,800 8,400 8,400
Interpretive signage
along trails and cultural facilities.
7. Directional signage providing
The Path marker - overall path mapping, key 3 @ 12,000 12,000 12,000 12,000
major destinations.
8. Decision points along trail/
The Path marker - directional. 12 @ 400 1,600 1,600 1,600
minor
9.
195 @ 110 10,752 10,752 10,752
Street Signs
Sub-total 244,852 81,952 81,952
Contingency
48,970 16,390 16,390
(20%)
Phase Total 293,822 98,342 98,342
Gazes (Lookouts)
PlaceBuilder™ identified a number of Lookouts (Gazes) that will highlight the unique aspects of
Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s. In order to further develop Lookouts, an order-of-magnitude cost estimate
is provided based on existing information and design intent. Additional concept design and site
information will be required to refine costs.
ORDER OF
LOOKOUT DESCRIPTION
MAGNITUDE COST
Scale: Moderate
1. Access: North point Road / ECT
Portugal Cove Function: Views to Bell Island and traditional community along
45,000 – 55,000
Community North Point Road.
Lookout Description: Single lookout
Materials: Stone, metal and/or glass railing, interpretation
Scale: Major
Access: The Path
2.
Function: Dramatic overview of Portugal Cove.
Gray Mans 120,000 – 200,000
Description: Series of connected viewpoints, varying in size,
Beard
along ridgeline.
Materials: Stone, glass railings, some wood decking.
Scale: Major
Access: Portugal Cove Road
3.
Function: Roadside Rest, Views over Harbour and traditional
Portugal Cove
community. 160,000 – 210,000
Roadside Rest
Description: parking for 4-5 vehicles, two cantilevered viewing
Area
decks. Interpretation.
Materials: Stone, glass railings, wood decking, pavers/concrete.
Scale: Moderate
Access: Coady’s Road/Lambswood Lane/trail section.
4.
Function: St. Philip’s Harbour view. 58,000 – 62,000
Broad Cove
Description: Single lookout area with several viewpoints.
Material: Granular surface, sections of stone wall.
Sub-total 383,000 – 527,000
Contingencies 95,750 – 130,000
Qualifiers:
1. General Structure provide in PlaceBuilder™ presentation is not yet a comprehensive path
master plan. A master plan should be developed and this will affect development priorities.
2. The focus of Path development will be to integrate with and compliment the route of the
East Coast Trail through the community.
3. Paths have not been ground truthed for an understanding of the terrain and development
opportunities that will affect costing and the level of service to be achieved.
4. Status of property ownership or access agreements to be explored.
Logic for Path Development: There are five logical focal points for path development that currently
exist in PCSP with link to the East Coast trail:
1. St. Philip’s historic village.
2. Portugal Cove historic village and hills.
3. Rainbow Gulley Park.
4. Voisey’s Park.
5. Blast Hole Ponds (work at Blast Hole Pond should be undertaken with a private developer
of mountain bike course and in concert with the East Coast Trail)
General strategy:
1. Path development be focused on the first four of these destinations initially.
2. Gradually spread outward to link these into a network.
3. Develop finer scale linkages within the network.
4. Four focal points may provide a reasonable equitable distribution of path development
within the community.
Further suggest that:
1. Path development where pedestrian safety issues exist be moved ahead in the priorities for
development.
2. Development include a mixture of hiking experiences and transportation routes.
3. All development complement the East Coast Trail.
4. New developments construct paths as a part of land development to achieve linkages and
a level of service set out by the Town in the path master plan (this may require adjustments
to the Town’s subdivision development regulations).
Criteria for deciding sequence of Path Construction:
Community Support:
1. Strong community (resident & business) support for early construction
2. Project partners in-place
3. Support of the East Coast Trail
Appendix D:
Agricultural
Development Areas
OVERVIEW
The St. John’s Urban Region (Agriculture) Development Area was established in 1973 to protect lands
of agricultural importance against alternative uses. In 2008, the provincial government commissioned
Felix Collins, a Member of the House of Assembly, to undertake a comprehensive review of all
agricultural lands to determine the viability of these lands with the mandate that lands having little or
no agriculture significance due to its topography, terrain, accessibility and ownership may be removed
from agricultural designation.
The Report of the St. John’s Urban Region (Agriculture) Development Area Review Commission
made its Report to the provincial government in June, 2008. The Report was adopted by Government
and the recommended changes for deletion of lands came into effect on June 7, 2013. The report
recommended six changes for the Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s.
For an analysis of potential uses for the former ADA Lands Tract Consulting engaged professional
planners, Reg Garland and Cliff Johnston, to undertake a preliminary study of the potential land uses
of the six areas of land in Portugal Cove – St. Philips which have been removed from the boundaries
of the St. John’s Agriculture Development Area. Their analysis, which includes a listing of the
development strengths and challenges of each of the areas, along with a list of the potential range of
land uses and recommended best options for each area, is outlined in the table and text below. Please
note that is an initial planning analysis. It does not include a detailed topographic analysis, a review of
property ownership or a market evaluation.
Background
Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s is one of fifteen towns and cities forming the St. John’s Urban Region. The
intent of the Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s Municipal Plan and Development Regulations, like other
municipality’s plans in the region, is to administer land use controls and ensure that development
proceeds in such a way that particular lands are protected from the negative impacts of incompatible
land uses.
The St. John’s region is experiencing tremendous growth, which is creating enormous pressure on the
existing agricultural land. The St. John’s Agriculture Development Area (ADA) is a provincial interest,
and the Town, like all municipalities in the region, is required to incorporate the policies and land use
zones of the ADA into its Municipal Plan and Development Regulations.
Unlike the Town’s other land use zones, the areas within the ADA cannot be rezoned through
amendments to development regulations. The ADA zone was legislated in 1978 under the Lands Act
as a Special Management Area. As legislated by Cabinet, the zone is subject to a periodic review of
its boundaries. These reviews (1993 and 2008) help ensure that lands of agricultural importance are
protected under this legislation and cannot be changed, except through a mandated provincial review.
The Agricultural Zone was established in these areas primarily to create buffer zones around these
livestock and poultry operations and to protect productive farmlands in the area. In the past fifteen
years, all of the livestock and poultry operations have closed or relocated outside the St. John’s ADA
as well as the egg grading station and government’s swine breeding station. Only the forage areas
off Windsor Heights and Indian meal Line are still in use. Except for the two greenhouse operations
and one small, recently established, organic farming operation off Witch Hazel Road, all agricultural
activity in the area of Old Broad Cove Road, Beachy Cove Road, Witch Hazel Road and Neary’s Pond
Road-Round Pond Road has ceased. And an increasing number of new residences in the area has
changed the character from rural to semi-urban.
Change No. 1
The deletion of approximately 9.8 acres (4 ha), to the rear of Olympic Drive, Princeton Place and Pratt
Place that has existing residential development on the south side of Indian Meal Line.
Characteristics of Area 1:
• This area is situated between the Pratt Place residential area and a water supply area with
a series of deep wells and a pump house supplying a portion of the residential area with
drinking water.
• The deletion will not further adversely affect a commercial farming operation located
uphill from the residential area.
• This area is considered to have severe limitations for agriculture.
Change No. 2
The deletion of approximately 179 acres (72.5 ha), north of Indian Meal Line.
Characteristics of Area 2:
1. This area has been used for farming in the past but all farming operations in the area have
now ceased, except for a small area which forms part of a nursery sod growing operation of
which the main part of the operation is located outside of the Agricultural Zone.
2. About forty acres (16.2 ha), of the total one hundred seventy nine acres, are considered
arable with moderate limitations of which less than one-quarter was developed for
agriculture. The remainder of the area is considered to have severe limitations for
agriculture.
Change No. 3
The deletion of approximately 4.6 acres (1.8 ha) of land south of Indian Meal Line.
Characteristics of Area 3:
1. Private property with most of its land parcel located outside the Agricultural Zone and
affecting only a small corner of the Zone.
2. The frontage along Indian Meal Line has existing residential development.
3. The majority of the land is considered to have severe limitations for agriculture.
4. Deletion of this area will have minimal impact on existing agricultural operations. A 200-
300 metre wooded buffer exists between the area and the nearest farm field.
Change No. 4
The deletion of approximately 74.5 acres (30 ha), north of Portugal Cove Road and immediately west of
the Windsor Heights residential area.
Characteristics of Area 4:
1. Extensive residential development in Windsor Heights has encroached on this part of the
Agricultural Zone.
2. Impact of the deletion of this area on the neighbouring former provincial swine breeding
station is thought to be minimal. The parcel between this area and the Station is
considered an adequate buffer. Parts of the station are presently used for nursery sod
production only. There is no expectation that the station will ever be used again as a
livestock operation.
3. None of the area has ever been developed for agricultural production, although twenty-
five acres near the frontage of the area has land considered to be arable with moderate
limitations. The remaining fifty acres of backland is considered to have severe limitations
for agriculture, is unsuitable or bog land.
Change No. 5
The deletion of approximately eight hundred eight acres (three hundred twenty-seven hectares),
west of Portugal Cove Road, between Old Broad Cove Road, Beachy Cove Road, Beachy Cove Brook
and Pond and Neary’s Pond Road and Round Pond Road, with the exception of an area on both sides
of Witch Hazel Road starting at a point where Witch Hazel Road crosses a tributary of Beachy Cove
Brook and continuing west for approximately seven hundred metres.
Characteristics of Area 5:
1. The area where the Agricultural Zone is to be maintained and which extends from sixty
metres along the southeast side of Witch Hazel Road to Beachy Cove Brook and Pond
northwest of the road will protect Bickerstaffe Farms and Nurseries and a small organic
farm from encroachment of residential development.
2. Twenty-four individuals and groups requested to have two hundred forty acres (ninety-
seven hectares) of privately owned land excluded from this part of the Agricultural Zone.
This includes approximately eighty acres (32.4 ha) of land which were part of a hog and
layer operations (now closed) and a small parcel of land occupied by the former egg
grading station. These are two agricultural operations which have closed out or have
relocated since the last review of the Agricultural Zone in 1993.
3. The current boundaries of the Agricultural Zone in this area were established primarily as
protective buffers around those operations which are now no longer active.
4. Of the approximately eight hundred eight acres (three hundred twenty-seven hectares),
about one hundred eighty-five acres (seventy-five hectares) are considered arable with
moderate limitations. The remainder of the area of about six hundred twenty-five acres
(two hundred fifty hectares) are considered to have severe limitations or are unsuitable for
agriculture.
Change No. 6
• This area has been identified by the City of St. John’s as being within the watershed area of
Windsor Lake. Agricultural activities are not appropriate in watershed areas. Portugal Cove
St. Philips Municipal Plan
The Town is considering an amendment to its Municipal and Development Regulations to incorporate
some of the changes recommended by the St. John’s Urban Region (Agriculture) Development
Area Review Commission. Specifically, the Town has identified areas with potential for residential
development on or near existing streets.
The Portugal Cove St. Philips Development Regulations amendment proposes to:
1. Re-zone three small areas of land located near Old Broad Cove West from Agriculture to
Residential Medium Density.
2. Re-zone land near Witch Hazel Road, Neary’s Pond Road and Pratt Place from Agriculture
to Residential Low Density.
3. Re-zone the north side of Neary’s Pond Road and a small portion of the south side, near
the intersection with Portugal Cove Road, from Residential Infill to Residential Medium
Density.
4. Rezone the south side of Neary’s Pond Road that has obtained services from Agriculture
to Residential Medium Density (NOTE: The first section of Neary’s Pond Road is fully
serviced but this is not reflected on the Land Use Zone Map).
5. Rezone a section further along on the south side of Neary’s Pond Road from Agriculture to
Residential Low Density and Residential Rural.
6. Re-zone two areas at the intersection of Old Broad Cove Road with Witch Hazel Road and
Jonathan Place from Agriculture to Mixed Development to reflect existing and proposed
development.
7. Re-zone a small area at the intersection of Portugal Cove Road with Neary’s Pond Road
from Rural Residential to Mixed Development.
ADA Open
Location Size Characteristics Positives Negatives Res Com Rec Best Options
Areas Space
ADA Open
Location Size Characteristics Positives Negatives Res Com Rec Best Options
Areas Space
Land 30 Near the Topography Yes Yes Yes Yes Potential for
north of ha former Swine suitable for residential
Portugal Breeding development
Cove Station. 10 ha with associated
Road and considered community
east of as frontage gardens/
Windsor and arable. greenhouses. It
Area Heights Backland is is suggested a
4 unsuitable for comprehensive
agriculture, development
or bog land. plan be
prepared for
this area.
Land 327 Some Areas near Witch Yes Yes Yes Yes The large area
west of ha privately Portugal Hazel provides an
Portugal owned land Cove Road Road area opportunity
Cove unsuitable for possibly has steep for a
Road agriculture. suitable for slopes comprehensive
between commercial planned
Area Old Broad approach for a
5 Cove mixture of land
Road, uses including
Beachy use of arable
Cove lands for
Brook farming and
horticultural
uses.
Land 8 Land is None Land is No No No Yes Should be
west of ha located located rezoned to an
Portugal within the in the open space/
Area Cove Windsor Lake Windsor restricted zone
Road and Watershed Lake
6 adjacent
to
Windsor
Lake
NOTE:
Area 5 is large area of land and the area is appropriate for a number of land use types and that some parts of the
area are best left undeveloped. It is recommended that a Comprehensive Land Use Development Plan be prepared
for the proposed future development of Area 5.
Area 6 is located in the Windsor Lake Watershed and cannot be considered for development.
Recommendations
Areas 1 and 2 have limitations to future residential development. Area 1 is small and could allow for
road frontage development and has been identified for re-zoning Agriculture to Residential Medium
Density as part of Development Regulations Amendment No. 54.
Area 3 is a small area of land next to the boundary with the Town of Torbay with frontage on Indian
Meal Line. It is believed to be private property with little potential and should remain as open space.
Area 4 is east of Windsor Heights. It has good potential for residential development, perhaps
incorporated with opportunities for community gardens and greenhouses. Tract Consulting
recommends a comprehensive development plan be prepared for this area that could also review the
issue of potential vehicle access to the area.
Area 5 is the largest area containing three hundred twenty seven hectares. The Town has made
decisions on road frontages to allow residential development as part of Development Regulations
Amendment No. 54. The area could contain a mix of different land uses such as Recreation/RV Park
with the areas near Portugal Cove Road being suitable for possible commercial development or a small
town centre.
The large size provides an opportunity for a comprehensive planned approach for a mixture of land
uses including use of arable lands for farming and horticulture. Tract Consulting recommends that a
comprehensive development scheme be prepared for Area 5.
Area 6 is located within the Windsor Lake Watershed. This area should be re-zoned to watershed, open
space or restricted development zone.
Appendix E.
Marketing Plan
The Marketing Vision
The vision for Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s (PCSP) marketing is to grow the Town’s brand from the
inside out and underscore the reasons why residents ought to “be inspired by who you are and where
you live.” Based on the newly created positioning – Inspired Living – activity over the first year will
primarily focus on internal marketing initiatives based on the fact that there are strong positive
connections between citizens’ attachment to their community and the area’s economic growth and
success.6 While a great deal of that community pride already exists in PCSP, strategies are being
proposed for the Town to further celebrate its heritage, culture and way of life and move further along
the path to an increasingly successful visitor economy.
Achieving this feeling of pride from within will also help motivate residents to be active shareholders
of PCSP’s proposed development projects described in the body of this Community Work Plan
(PlaceBuilder™). One of the most critical decisions in this brand positioning is how best and when to
introduce the marketing for PCSP to its residents. Regardless of the stage or the pace of community
development, their need for transparent communications and a sense of belonging is consistent. They
need to see themselves and the community of which they are so proud, consistently reflected in the
messaging. A buy in by the residents will provide an unwavering stronghold for the Inspired Living
brand position as the town builds on the energy of change.
6
KnightSoul of the Community 2010 - Knight Foundation
This Marketing Plan provides a road map and action plan that aligns with the necessary development
planning. It outlines guiding principles for internal communications and identifies strategic priorities
for citizen engagement, visitor attraction and economic growth. In preparing this Marketing Plan the
following sources of information were used:
1. PCSP - Website
2. PCSP - Draft 5 Year Strategic Economic Plan, 2011
3. PCSP - Municipal Plan 2014-2024
4. PCSP - PlaceBuilder™ – Community Work Plan
5. PCSP - Demographic & Expenditure Report – November 2014
6. PCSP - Inspired Living – Draft Community Profile Document
7. PCSP - Our Heritage (document prepared by the Heritage Committee)
8. Stats Canada Website
9. City of St. John’s – 2011 Tourism Indicators
10. Population Projections for the City of St. John’s (prepared by the Economic and Statistics
Branch, Department of Finance, Government of NL)
7
Demographics & Expenditure Report, PCSP 2014
The People
PCSP traces its history to the 1500s when Gasper Corte Real, a Portuguese explorer, dropped anchor
here and came ashore to bury two of his crew who had died at sea. Permanent settlers from England
began claiming land in the area more than two hundred years ago. In 1831, PCSP constructed the
first functioning road in NL to provide easier access to and from St. John’s. However, despite this
commerce with what is now the capital city, Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s has maintained a rich culture
and rural charm. And PCSP’s rich heritage provides a strong mainstay for tourism growth.
While the Town has limited built tourist attractions, it does have outstanding features of historical and
natural heritage such as cultural landscapes, trails and lookouts; unique and environmentally sensitive
areas; old standing churches and cemeteries; historical events such as the World War II German
U-Boat attack between Portugal Cove and Bell Island (more details below); its fishing and maritime
heritage; and local family history.
Planning is underway for a town archives and museum and the active Heritage Committee is in the
midst of an oral history project.
Every year PCSP celebrates its maritime past with two special events: the Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s
Festival and Regatta, and the Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s End of Season Regatta.
The Visitors
There are limited statistics on the number of people who visit PCSP. However, tourism indicators for
St. John’s provide the following relevant statistics:
1. .13 million visitors in 2011; with a total visitor spend of $363 million.8
2. Sixty-six percent (seven hundred and forty-four thousand) of these visitors were residents
of NL, four hundred fifty four thousand are considered ‘day-trippers’ (not an overnight
stay)
3. Thirty-four percent were non-resident (out of province) visitors
The Businesses
With a total of one hundred thirty one businesses registered in the Town, only four percent of Town
revenue comes from business tax. The top three sectors include construction special trade (12.2
percent of the 131 businesses); building construction general contractors (9.2 percent) and agriculture
(6.1 percent). With limited commercial offerings in PCSP to serve the eight thousand residents, they
spend money elsewhere. The Town is considering options for a mixed-use commercial centre to meet
local needs, reduce outflow of disposable income, create employment, and improve the residential/
commercial tax split.
8
City of St. John’s – 2011 Tourism Indicators
This Marketing Plan has been developed at a pivotal point in the Community Work Plan
(PlaceBuilder™) project. This Marketing Plan identifies shorter-term objectives and strategies to kick-
start some of the opportunities identified through this process.
The following highlights recommendations from the Community Work Plan (PlaceBuilder™) that are
relevant to marketing the community. These are identified to help set the stage for understanding the
Town’s vision for growth and development.
• Trails:
°° In association with East Coast Trail (ECT), develop priority trail linking Portugal
Cove to Greyman’s Beard.
• Trail link – St. Philip’s Marina to Rainbow Gully.
°° Mountain Bike Facility – located at Blast Hole Pond:
°° In partnership with the Province and City of St. John’s (possible location for the
2021 Canada Games) – design and develop a state of the art facility integrating a
Nature Learning Centre.
• Farmers Market:
°° In association with Tilt House Bakery.
• Agriculture Opportunities (organic, ‘access to agricultural lands’ mandate and vision
from the community):
°° In partnership with the Government of NL, develop Near Urban Agriculture
breadbasket for the region, expanding current industry strengths and unique
opportunities for growth (USPs in region).
• World War II Tourism Product Development:
°° Seventy-fifth (2017) war end anniversary.
°° Ongoing development of prominence the region had in World War II – including
the fact that it was the only place in North America where shots were exchanged.
4. Commercial development:
• Town Centre - lifestyle centre, grocery/select retail, Town Administration, residential
and potential office space.
• Real estate and market valuations study to be completed, with proposed locations: (i)
Portugal Cove Road at Broad Cove Road (ii) Rainbow Gully at Thorburn Road.
More than anything, the people of PCSP are integral to the brand and have a key role in moving it
forward. Marketing efforts must appeal to residents. They are open to positive messages about their
town and are most likely audience to be attracted to local events, to support local business growth, to
shop in the community and, through word of mouth and social media, to promote the place they live to
other people.
Residents already believe that PCSP is an outstanding place to live, visit, work and do business. But
they do not always know how diverse those offerings. That presents an opportunity for marketing.
Building on the primary internal engagement objectives, we will also start the conversation and outline
considerations for growing tourism, driving residential and business growth.
The framework of this Marketing Plan is based on answering the following questions:
1. Target Market: What people? Who do we want to reach?
2. SWOT Analysis: What are our strengths?
3. Messaging Strategy: Based on our strengths, what do we want to tell them?
4. Objectives: What are we trying to achieve?
5. Tactics: How do we tell them what we want to tell them?
ST R E N GT H S WEAKNESSES O P P O RT U N I T I ES T H R E ATS
• Close to St. John’s… • Limited places to stay • Reach captive St. John’s • Unrealized
easy to get to for day or eat market potential for the
trips • Limited awareness • Reach tourists going to Bell things you can
• Close to Bell Island of hiking trails, Island promote now
(for integrated historical features, • Promote things to do • Other towns in
VISITING itinerary) beaches • Develop things to do the area continue
• WWII history • Limited organized (product development) to grow their
• Walking trails tourism product • Develop tourism / service tourism offer
• Ocean views culture
• Can be ‘around the • Develop events that you can
bay’ in 10 minutes become known for
Messaging Strategy
1. Residents Key Messaging Strategy
• People who live in PCSC • Inspired Living is something we all own (it is our positioning);
• People who work in PCSP make it relevant to all residents.
• People who work for the Town • Committed to a mainstay of heritage, history and natural
beauty; PCSP is a community on the move that welcomes
planned growth and ‘on brand’ commercial development.
• Support local whenever possible.
• Events taking place in PCSP are ‘my’ events.
• New website is the central hub for everything ‘I need to know.’’
The following Strategic Priorities, Tactics and Action Plans support these objectives. Summarized in
this roadmap graphic, the proposed actions are connected and together will drive overall growth for
PCSP.
Branding a community is similar to the methodology for corporate branding (think Big Apple). While
not in the business of selling running shoes, computers or soft drinks – PCSP is in the business of
establishing itself as an inspired place to live, work and visit. Having a well-understood brand that is
developed on the foundation of PCSP’s values is important for long-term vitality and viability.
The Inspired Living brand will help align people’s perceptions about PCSP, and give you the
opportunity to say what you want to say about your town, reducing the risk of external audiences
making decisions about PCSP through chance encounters and random hearsay.
The brand strategy sets the theme and tone that breathes life into the brand by accurately reflects
PCSP’s personality in a memorable and attractive way. The method to do this is to take the positive
perceptions and understanding that already exist among residents, and formally express its essence
visually and through planned tactics.
Brand Strategy
In the Community Work Plan (PlaceBuilder™), Step 1 identifies the recommendation of formally
adopting a community vision. The understanding is that this process has been completed and that the
vision as highlighted below, has been the essence of PCSP’s positioning Inspired Living:
The Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s aspires to be a sustainable and complete community, offering
residents and visitors, access to connected and safe neighbourhoods, natural open spaces, agricultural
land and coastlines. A vibrant heritage combined with increased economic opportunity will create a
preferred place for people in which to live and grow, to be close to work, to pursue recreation, to invest
and to visit. In consideration of this vision, the following brand attributes provide a more complete
strategic position in support of Inspired Living.
RECYCLING
COLLECTION
UNIT
41 PUBLIC
WORKS
GARBAGE
DISPOSAL
UNIT
22
The vehicle images below will be part of a “Sustainable PCSP” campaign and are part of the overall
The vehicle images below will be part of a “Sustainable PCSP” campaign and are part of the overall
marketing strategy for the Town. Building on residents’ attachment to place. The colour pallet is
represented by a series of colours that are identifiable with the Town of Portugal Cove - St. Philip’s.
But this must be understood in context and it does not mean that communities should focus on
building parks when there are no jobs. However, it highlights that other factors, beyond basic needs,
should be included when thinking about urban planning and development. When it comes to
residents’ attachment to where they live, these seemingly softer needs have a stronger impact than
previously understood. Another important discovery of the study was that the causes for attachment
are consistent from place to place and include the following key factors:10
• Social Offerings: places for people to meet each other in an environment that supports the
feeling that people in the community care about each other.
• Openness: how welcoming the community is to different types of people, including
families with young children, minorities, and people with all levels of education.
Aesthetics: the physical beauty and accessibility of those spaces in the community
•
including parks and green spaces.
This information is valuable to PCSP as it undertakes significant development
9
Knight Soul of the Community 2010 – Knight Foundation
10
Ibid
Action items
1. Launch the Inspired Living campaign.
2. Community Outreach.
3. Community events – build on existing events, plan new events.
4. Develop a new website as the central hub for all communications.
Creative Development
Initial Inspired Living campaign elements have recently been developed, integrating 6 main themes:
Community Outreach
A well-focused communications plan will help create advanced opportunities for residents to play
a role in setting priorities, addressing issues and developing longer term sustainability of PCSP.
Proactively tapping into the vitality, spirit and creativity of the community will also encourage
broader reach and engagement. The plan will be directed at all facets of the community, integrating
new tools and strategies to support individual groups as agents for change and guardians of change
management.
The town of PCSP has proven processes in place for interacting with residents. This includes
invitations to public forums, public council meetings, the Town website and social media. As plans
are underway to launch the new Inspired Living brand and community vision, formulating new pillars
supporting community outreach can ensure all Town officials are aware and in sync with messaging to
residents.
Community Events
Augmenting your existing calendar of events, the following highlights new twists on things you are
currently doing and references new proposed events to further engage your community, and for your
community to engage with each other. Inspired will be the overarching theme for your new event
strategy. Maintaining stringent parameters around event planning, will improve event quality as the
Inspired brand positioning becomes the overarching theme. Therefore an event should fulfill at least
one of the following objectives:
1. It’s bigger and/or better than anything else being done - will wow the market, make you
famous for something, engage residents (and ideally draw visitors).
2. Create valuable public relations (PR) exposure for PCSP.
3. It’s a community relations event that will significantly benefit a target group (and also
achieve PR exposure).
4. It will positively impact awareness of PCSP.
EVENT GOAL/RECOMMENDATIONS
Annual • Consider making these a WOW event and main point of focus; and
Regattas extend the competition by reaching new markets (perhaps tie in a
charity event)
• Broaden the scope of event to include a large scale music festival and/
or art exhibit
• Would be ideal to have space allocated for people to stay and/or camp
overnight
Agriculture • Besides the Craft/Farmers Market being considered in the
Event - COMMUNITY WORK PLAN (Place Builder Project), you could
Community
Community capitalize on your unique agriculture offering and promote
Events
Garden Festival, community gardening whereby residents and people from St. John’s
Rent-a-Garden could essentially ‘rent a garden’ and learn from your agriculture
community
Sailing Regatta • Most likely something to consider for the longer term, a sailing regatta
is a great event to attract visitors and build awareness about your
Town
• The St. Philip’s marina is an amazing location for hosting a sailing
regatta, and without an abundance of accommodations, people can
stay on their boats
EVENT GOAL/RECOMMENDATIONS
The big • This is a great opportunity to get connected with other members of
community the community, and also attract people from outside the Town
clean up • Food and beverage ‘carts’ could be positioned to feature a farmers
market of sorts
Hiking and • The hiking in PCSP is amazing – but the trails could be better
Camping identified from the roadways
• A great opportunity to attract positive PR would be if PCSP became
a ‘glamping’ destination, offering opportunities for ‘glamour’ and
‘camping’, providing more upscale camping facilities and /or guides
Kids Arts • There are countless ideas for hosting kids camps in PCSP – the idea
Camp/Music would be to promote a member of the arts/music community as
Camp special guests (Vessela Brakalova, for example)
Who inspires • Promoting community spirit, each month there could be a call for
you - community nominations – for who inspires you in PCSP?
awards • It’s ‘on brand’ and a great way to get free PR and drive visits to your
website/social media
World War II • As outlined in the COMMUNITY WORK PLAN, the significance
Community of the region as the ‘only place in North America where shots were
Events exchanged from shore’ provides an opportunity for creating awareness
on a large scale as we come closer to the 75th anniversary of the
war ending. The 75th anniversary of the German U-boat attacks
(September 5th and November 2nd ) should be a major affair, and
ideally could be held on the water (tickle) incorporating a broad fleet
of Canadian and US navy carriers
• The Heritage Committee has cited a fascinating story from a resident
who was 10 years old at the time of the U-boat attack. Communication
around this fact should be included in all tourist information and self
guided tour packages (more detail below)
• This project could potentially receive special government funding, and
should be further explored
Community • A specially created audio tour is a great way to promote the varying
Audio Tour sites, trails and historical features available in PCSP, with the focus
on promoting the Town’s features through a creatively crafted story
telling style and artistic voice over
Postcards from • Targeting residents and tourists, a ‘postcard from the edge’ photo
the Edge competition could be featured through an online app, and winning
photos could then be available for sale at select tourism venues.
Additionally, the photos could be incorporated into a annual calendar
EVENT GOAL/RECOMMENDATIONS
The Community • Nothing beats bringing a community together, then some
Health Challenge good old-fashioned competition. PCSP would further promote
its INSPIRED LIVING positioning by promoting its healthy
lifestyle and abundant outdoor activities. The Town could
challenge St. John’s and other neighbouring communities
Additionally, online engagement can reach a broader audience and further supports the goal of
transparency and inclusion.
Social media tactics will highlight tidbits of information from the new website, and direct the
conversation back to that central hub. More details on the new proposed website are outlined below.
Developing the tourism strategy for PCSP in 2016, Tract Consulting recommends keeping within
realistic parameters – promoting existing products and starting the discussion around new potentially
amazing products that could create unique propositions for growing PCSP’s tourism industry. While
product development is required before certain markets can be attracted, there is a viable opportunity
in developing strategies targeted to St. John’s residents and visitors.
• Facebook – St. John’s and surrounding area – newsfeed (desk top and mobile), 8 weeks,
1,650 clicks
4. Radio
• OZ FM, The Coast – 6 weeks, 25 spots per week (July-August)
5. Outdoor
• 3 digital boards – 6 weeks (July-August)
Specific tourism products that offer a unique opportunity for PCSP, and that will require major
planning and resources include the Blast Hole Mountain Bike Park, the Tilt House Farmers Market,
Farm Industry Development, Neary’s Pond Park, Voisey’s Park, World War II tourist attraction
development, and St. Philips waterfront development. While it is preliminary to detail any significant
marketing planning required for these project, it is important to highlight these potential tourism
assets as opportunities for growth.
The formally adopted community vision is the mainstay for the economic development and diversity
goals. This vision should ensure that success goes hand-in-hand with an excellent quality of life and a
high quality environment.
As previously noted, eighty-five percent of the working population of PCSP travel out of the town to work
every day. In addition, only four percent of the town’s revenue comes from business tax. And because
there is no defined commercial area within the town, residents spend most of their money outside of the
community. That makes PCSP a commuter town supporting St. John’s. But this can change. Planning
is underway for the proposed development of a commercial town centre. If deemed feasible and then
constructed and occupied by the right commercial entities, it would help drive local economic growth
and diversity and help keep resident spending in PCSP.
Concurrent to bigger commercial plans, PCSP has an opportunity to grow and diversify its economy by
capitalizing on things that are presently viable. These include:
2. Promote PCSP as the place to start a small business and/or Home Based Business (HBB):
Promoting PCSP as a great place to live and work is a key pillar of the Inspired Living
Campaign. The new website should be a main medium for creating the messaging that
PCSP is ready to do business. Information should be easy to access and provide details on
incentives, and tool kits on how to start your own business in PCSP.
3. Focus on specific industry sectors:
Focus on industry sectors are that are distinct, full of potential and entwined with the town
character and positioning strategy. These include:
• Agriculture:
°° Community farming
°° Organic farming
• Tourism:
°° Eco tourism
°° Fishing
°° Tour operators
°° Water based activity
°° Hotels, accommodation based
°° Mountain Bike Park
• Food and Beverage
• Retail
• Art/Culture
The new website should be the central hub for information, providing potential new business
owners access to market gap analysis information, resources, incentives, and development plan
approvals.
4. Buy local – Inspired To Support PCSP Business Campaign
• PCSP businesses should have an opportunity to be featured on the PCSP website, and
promote special offers to residents.
• A Facebook campaign could be launched, asking residents to ‘like’ and share local
business information.
• In keeping with the Inspired theme, the campaign should be tagged Inspired to
Support Local.
PCSP has experienced above average population growth. To capitalize on this trend and to ensure that
this momentum continues, communications aligned to Inspired Living should promote the features of
PCSP as a unique place to live. Target markets include:
• People in St. John’s looking for a change.
• Newfoundlanders and Labradorians working outside the province, planning to move home
and/or looking for an investment opportunity.
The following provides a snapshot of some ideas for Social Media content, based on target markets
and priorities.
Facebook
As the most-used social media platform in Newfoundland and Labrador, Facebook is a great place for
PCSP to drive a high level of engagement with regularly posted content. That is, to attract people to
“Like” the page, to read/view the content and respond to it, and to share it with friends. Successful,
on Facebook depends on posted content that audiences want to view, not just the information you
want to share. Interactivity will evolve by engaging with users, asking questions, encouraging them to
post their own stories, and providing opportunities for them to connect with one another. Use images
whenever possible.
Tactics:
1. Resident engagement:
• Use photo and video to engage residents and celebrate the sights and sounds of their
community. Photos and videos of current community activity will create feedback
about what went well and what didn’t, allowing planning committees to better identify
useful clips and images. Pictures and videos will also appeal to former residents and
increase social reach.
• Create a “Make a Suggestion” forum to gather residents’ ideas on how to improve the
community. By gathering input, PCSP will have a better gauge of what the “hot topics”
are in the town and if the input is managed well, will be better informed and able to
more quickly respond to those concerned and deal with those topics.
2. New residents:
• Post items about the area and feature housing listings. This markets the area to
prospective residents, and it shows the passion and knowledge of the seller and selling
area. The golden rule in social media is 80/20 - post eighty percent content about
lifestyles, customer interests, and other updates; post twenty percent content about the
product. This keeps the social in social media an essential element for keeping fans
engaged.
• Post items about community developments, and express the merits and positive
impacts on lifestyle for new and existing residents.
• Use images when updates are made. Images on Facebook are the most engaging type
of content. The more Likes, shares and comments the posts get, the more they will be
viewed in news feeds by the friends of Facebook Fans.
• Post about events in the area. Show how great the community culture is.
3. Tourism:
• Showcase unique images from all over PCSP. Social Media is dependent on visual
media. Users want images and videos to give them a better sense of what the
community is about, what it has to offer and why they should visit.
• Post user-generated content (UGC), which encourages fans to continue sharing their
own stories and experiences on an ongoing basis. UGC allows online users to speak
up, share their personal values and connect with like-minded people and the brand.
• Every Friday select the best images from the week and feature them in the Friday fan
photo album. Do the same with user-generated and submitted video content.
Twitter
Tactics:
1. Resident engagement
• Use Twitter Chats and Twitter Town Halls to host online conversations about
community planning, accompanied with appropriate unique hashtag, i.e.,
#PCSPTownHall
• Live-tweet Council and Public Meetings to enable residents to better understand the
decision-making process. This could be of interest to former residents.
• #ThrowbackThursday to share old photos and engage residents in local history (can
also be integrated on Facebook).
2. New residents:
• Tweet local news. Twitter is a great place for news, i.e., if there’s a new school being
built in the area - tweet about it. Good news stories help show how great the area is.
• Tweet about charity events, and local events the Town, its councilors, employees,
volunteers, and champions support. Show a connection and demonstrate
trustworthiness.
• Use @mentions to keep in touch with clients and potential clients. Aside from using
the direct messages, send out a Tweet to congratulate a new homeowner or to thank a
local merchant/ business owner for assistance.
• Tweet about any and all listings. Again, use the 80/20 rule – eighty percent of content
is about lifestyle and connecting; twenty percent is about listings.
YouTube
Use YouTube to create and share an “Inside PCSP” and “Talk of the Town” video series to highlight
community events and municipal projects. This will appeal to residents and will increase engagement
across all the social media profiles. It will also give potential new residents a better view of the
community culture and civic pride.
Tactics/action calendar
The following blocking chart is a reference for proposed tactics and actions. More discussion and
direction is required from PCSP before finalizing any execution plans.
STRATEGIC
ACTIONS Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
PRIORITY
COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
Launch event
Inspired Living
campaign Community Core Values
launch
New website launch
Regatta
STRATEGIC
ACTIONS Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
PRIORITY
OTHER PRIORITIES
Industry partnerships
Visitor Plan
(ongoing)
Product development
(ongoing)
Website launch as central
hub
Business expansion plan
(ongoing)
Drive Economic New business planning
Growth (ongoing)
Industry sector – sector
development (TBD)
Campaign flights
Residential
Growth Website launch
New Website
Website strategy
Development
Website launch