Norcope Construction is urging Whitehorse city council to at least allow for public input into an amendment it’s seeking to the Official Community Plan (OCP).

The amendment would change the OCP designation of a 21.6-hectare piece of vacant Commissioner’s land on the Alaska Highway next to the Utah Siding yard near Mount Sima Road to industrial to allow for a gravel quarry.

It is currently designated at mixed-use-industrial/commercial under the OCP.

The proposal was first brought forward to the city in September 2016, with council then voting to at least consider it.

Acting planning manager Kindon Kosick, however, brought forward a recommendation at Monday night’s meeting that council defeat the amendment at first reading, which is set for next week.

As he stated in his report to council: “In reviewing this application, it was found that there is a direct collide with OCP policy 8.2.3 (quarry buffer distance, in this case from First Nations’ parcels, an uncertainty of site access, and a loss of future development potential.”

Both the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council (TKC) and Kwanlin Dün First Nation have settlement land in the area with the recommended 300-metre buffer inside sites that have been designated as commercial and residential sites by the Ta’an.

“TKC has submitted a letter opposing this amendment which stated that the quarry would be an impact on aboriginal rights and title and requests that the city not approve the amendment,” Kosick said.

Under questioning by Mayor Dan Curtis about whether a reduction in the footprint of the proposed quarry could address concerns from the First Nation, Kosick said he didn’t want to speak for the First Nation, but the city could reach out to discuss it with them.

Tyler Heal, an engineer with Stantec, which is working with Norcope on the project, also told council that another planner with the company has had preliminary discussions with affected First Nations about the proposal.

Norcope owner Doug Gonder told council the company would be more than willing to work with First Nations on the plan, as well as any other affected parties to ensure there are no issues.

He pointed out that when Norcope went through the Yukon Environmental Socio-economic Assessment Board review on the project, there had been no opposition to it.

Similarly, on the issue of access, Gonder said Norcope is willing to work with the city to develop a suitable access road to the site after a number of other possibilities have fallen through.

Kosick highlighted them in his report:

“Yukon Highways and Public Works have stated that Norcope cannot access this site from the Alaska Highway. White Pass & Yukon Route has also stated that Norcope will not be permitted access through the White Pass & Yukon Route parcel.

“The remaining access option for access to the area is via Miles Canyon Road, which is important for recreation and tourism. A review of impacts to the Alaska Highway and required upgrades has not been completed by the applicant to date.”

In addition to highlighting Norcope’s willingness to work with the city, First Nations and others who may be affected by the proposed plans, Gonder and Heal argued that defeating first reading wouldn’t allow for due process on the matter.

By voting in favour of first reading, the amendment could move on to the public process. A public hearing would be held April 24 followed by a report on the hearing coming forward to council on May 1.

Council could then take into consideration that input before deciding on the final two readings of the designation change.

Gonder also emphasized the many years of work that have gone into finding a good quality supply of gravel as this site offers for the next 25 years or so.

Without that kind of supply, he argued, gravel prices could rise, thus increasing development costs in the city.

There are no other new areas that have been identified for quarrying, he said.

Addressing concerns that have come up over the potential to redevelop the site after its quarry life, Gonder reassured council that there is potential for future development, and that it wouldn’t be in the view of those driving along roads like the Alaska Highway or Miles Canyon Road.

“We’re asking to work with the city,” he said.

Throughout a lengthy council discussion, members wondered about possibilities like making the proposed quarry site smaller, discussions with First Nations and potential access options.

While Kosick did not have answers – with many questions requiring input from other parties – he noted that those issues could be looked at.

The size of the quarry site, for example, could be considered when the zoning (which can only be considered after the OCP amended) is looked at.

First Nations would also have to be contacted to speak to their views on possible changes to the proposal, and Kosick said he couldn’t say anything about possibilities for gravel prices.

First reading will come forward for council to vote on next week.