If the city pursues infill plans as currently proposed, a total of 26 new residential lots would be created in existing neighbourhoods.

At Monday evening’s city council meeting, members voted in favour of moving on to the next phase of public consultation for proposed infill plans that would add residential sites to a variety of neighbourhoods.

The first phase sought feedback on the possibility of using the proposed land for residential development along with looking at potential issues that could impact development.

That resulted in the elimination of three of the proposed sites – one in Mary Lake and two in Whitehorse Copper.

That leaves a total of nine sites that could potentially be developed, with the city now releasing more detailed plans, including the number of lots proposed for each site.

With council’s vote Monday, residents are now being asked for their thoughts on the more detailed plans.

“The city understands that our citizens value their local greenspace, and we are working to find the best approach for integrating new development into existing neighbourhoods,” city planner Kindon Kosick said in a statement.

“Input from this phase of the project will be used to help draft a zoning amendment bylaw and final lot designs for council decision to proceed or not.”

The city has maps showing the potential lots on its website. They show:

• five country residential lots along Couch Road in Hidden Valley toward the North Klondike Highway, with two lots being 1.01 hectares and three at 1.02 ha;

• on Talus Drive in Whitehorse Copper, three country residential lots that would be 1.09 ha, 1.08 ha and 1.03 ha next to the park at Esker and further down near Moraine Drive, two country residential lots would be 1.01 ha;

• in Mary Lake on Fireweed Drive, a total of five country residential lots would be created at 1.4 ha, 1.38 ha, 1.09 ha, 1.07 ha, and 1.06 ha;

• in Cowley Creek on Salmon Trail across from Dolly Varden Drive, two country residential lots at 1.03 ha and 1.04 ha would be created;

• in Porter Creek on Wann Road near Basswood Street, one 0.25 ha single-detached lot would be created;

• in Arkell on Sandpiper Drive approaching Heron Drive, two new single-detached lots of 645 square metres and 730 square metres would be created;

• in Logan on Finch Crescent between Magpie Road and Falcon Drive, there would be four single-family lots (with no allowance for duplexes) measuring 985 square metres, 888 square metres, 775 square metres and 564 square metres. There would also be another lot off of Magpie Crescent next to the Finch, with sites measuring 582 square metres; and

• in Granger at the corner of Wilson Drive and Hayes Crescent, one residential single-detached lot at 0.11 ha would be created.

Along with providing maps showing the proposed lots, officials also explain that the sites in urban areas were selected for infill, as the zoning needed is already in place and utility services are available.

“The country residential sites (Talus/Moraine, Fireweed, Salmon) were chosen based on the contour mapping and site visits. The city is also undertaking some background work regarding environmental issues,” it’s noted.

Any of the country residential sites would require rezoning before they could be developed.

“There is significant council and public process that needs to be completed prior to lot sales,” it’s noted.

“If this results in a council decision to proceed, it is expected that a lottery could be held late in 2017 or early 2018.

“If the proposed lots proceed through the council approval processes, there would likely be two separate – but simultaneous – land lotteries, as some of the lots are owned by the city and some are owned by the Yukon government.”

Separate surveys on the country residential sites and urban sites are available through the city’s website and open for responses until noon on Oct. 23.

Residents can also email the city about the plans at housinglots@whitehorse.ca

The proposed zoning changes for the country residential lots would also come forward in the fall with a public hearing on the zoning changes expected in mid-October, with a final decision anticipated by Oct. 30.