Why the city’s new driveway-friendly rules are a step forward, but not the leap we need.
🚗 The Hook — Let’s Start with a Wild Thought
Imagine this: for every person in St. John’s, there’s at least one parking space waiting — like we’re planning for an invasion of sedans.
We’ve got driveways big enough to host kitchen parties and cul-de-sacs that could double as go-kart tracks. Yet somehow, while we’ve been paving paradise, the housing supply is still shrinking.
So, when the city recently loosened rules to make it easier for homeowners to add driveways, it sounded like good news. More flexibility, fewer headaches. But here’s the thing — driveways aren’t homes.
And that’s where it gets interesting.
🧩 The Context — The Ask
St. John’s has officially moved to relax some zoning rules, allowing more properties to add driveways or widen existing ones. The intent? To make life easier for homeowners tired of parking battles and winter snow bans.
On paper, that’s a win for convenience. But behind the asphalt is a deeper question: what are we prioritizing — parking or people?
Every square foot we pave for cars is a square foot that can’t hold a home, a tree, or a sidewalk that connects neighbors. It’s the kind of trade-off that feels small on one property but adds up fast city-wide.
🏗️ The Reality Check — The Answer
Driveways don’t solve the housing crisis — they symbolize it.
For decades, St. John’s has built with a suburban mindset: space first, people second. Big lots, wide streets, and yes — driveways for days. But as the city matures, that old model is hitting a wall (or maybe a garage door).
Fewer infill options mean fewer homes where infrastructure already exists. And the result? Rising costs, limited inventory, and more pressure on outer neighborhoods.
If we keep spreading out instead of building smartly in, we’re just trading driveways for density — and that’s not a great deal for anyone who wants St. John’s to stay vibrant, walkable, and affordable.
💡 The Opportunity — The Strategy
For homeowners and buyers, this shift is a signal.
Homes in neighborhoods that balance access with efficiency — think smaller lots, smart layouts, proximity to amenities — will hold long-term value better than oversized, car-dependent ones.
And as zoning continues to evolve (because it will), properties that allow multi-use or secondary units will become gold. That’s where future growth, investment, and livability align.
It’s not about choosing between cars and people. It’s about building for both — without letting one take over the whole driveway.
🏡 The Ask Team Takeaway — The Kick
Here’s the truth: convenience feels good today, but community lasts.
We don’t need more driveways — we need more direction.
We need planning that looks ten years ahead instead of ten feet past the bumper.
Because while driveways might make it easier to park, the real question is — where are we all going?