Context: Often compared to San Francisco due to the hilly terrain and steep maze of residential streets, housing in St. John's is typically painted in bright colours. The city council has implemented strict heritage regulations in the downtown area, including restrictions on the height of buildings. These regulations have caused much controversy over the years. With the city experiencing an economic boom a lack of hotel rooms and office space has seen proposals put forward that do not meet the current height regulations. Heritage advocates argue that the current regulations should be enforced while others believe the regulations should be relaxed to encourage economic development.

Question: What US city is St. John's often compared to?
Answer: San Francisco

Question: What does the city council have restrictions on in downtown?
Answer: height of buildings

Question: What have the restrictions on the height of buildings caused over the years?
Answer: controversy

Question: What is the city lacking because of the height restrictions?
Answer: hotel rooms and office space

Question: What does the provincial government put restrictions on?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What regulations are widely embraced in the city?
Answer: Unanswerable

Question: What kind of development is encouraged by the heritage regulations?
Answer: Unanswerable