A proposed lot expansion on Collins Lane has raised concerns about the impacts to area trails.

A proponent for the lot expansion, though, says the 1.7-hectare addition eyed for the property at 163 Collins Lane will not have a major impact on trails.

Ian Robertson represented PS Sidhu Trucking at Monday’s city council meeting.

Council members considered a report on the public hearing for the rezoning that would allow the lot expansion to move forward.

With the public hearing closed, Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu reminded Robertson to limit his comments to the issues outlined in the report, with Robertson then responding to the issues that were brought up around trails.

As council later heard in the report, though no one addressed council at the Feb. 27 public hearing, the city did receive two written submissions.

Those argued there would be an impact to trails, including further impact to the “historic Copper Belt Spur Line”.

Robertson was quick to note and highlight a 15-metre buffer from the expanded property to the nearest ski trail, which is approximately 75 metres from the rear property line.

The report to council noted there could be “aesthetic and noise impacts to the ski trail due to clearing and operations of the subject area.”

Robertson, however, argued there was no evidence presented to back up that statement, assessing it as more of a “broad generalization”.

Robertson also noted that no trail currently exists where the old spur line was. Rather, he noted, it’s a drafting error in maps showing a trail that existed many years ago, but which has since grown in.

One of the written submissions that came into the city also highlighted concerns about environmentally sensitive areas.

However, city planning manager Pat Ross noted in the report that aspect had been looked at by the Yukon Environmental Socioeconomic Assessment Board (YESAB) when it examined the application.

“The YESAB evaluation report states that there are no permanent or seasonal watercourses in the subject area, and that the area is likely depleted of many of its wildlife values due to nearby industrial developments,” Ross said in the report.

“The report ultimately determined that the project is unlikely to have any adverse effects, and should proceed.”

It was also argued in the written submissions that land elsewhere should be purchased if the owner finds it’s no longer suitable for the company's operations.

As Ross highlighted in the report, though: “The applicant does have the option to purchase another property to fulfill operational land needs.

“However, splitting operations between two sites creates additional costs for the business. The existing lot at 163 Collins Lane is one of the largest industrial lots in the city, and finding a new lot to accomodate this entire operation would be unlikely.”

Council will vote on whether to move forward with the rezoning next week.

Mayor Dan Curtis and councillors Dan Boyd and Samson Hartland were absent from Monday’s council meeting.