Cowley Creek could boast up to five new lots

The Yukon Horse and Rider Association’s proposed move to the former speedway in Cowley Creek could see up to five new country residential lots added to the market.

The Yukon Horse and Rider Association’s proposed move to the former speedway in Cowley Creek could see up to five new country residential lots added to the market.

On Monday evening, city council approved first reading of an amendment to the Official Community Plan (OCP) that would allow an expansion of Sockeye Place in Cowley Creek for up to five country residential properties.

The expansion was proposed after the Yukon government determined access to the speedway off the Alaska Highway could not be used permanently because it does not have adequate sight lines.

The equestrian association has been planning to move to the speedway due to the development of the Whistle Bend subdivision in its current location.

With the territory determining the direct access to the speedway unsafe from the highway, city staff are now proposing it be accessed through a 320-metre extension to Sockeye Place.

“To cover the cost of construction, it is proposed that four or five new residential lots be created along the road extension,” it’s stated in a report to council.

“As the KMA (Klondike Motorsport Association) area and surrounding greenbelt are currently designated as future planning in the Official Community Plan, an amendment to the OCP will be required before the project can move forward.”

The proposal has already been met with concerns from local residents who appeared before council at the Feb. 4 meeting bringing forward issues around traffic and the impact on local wildlife.

While council voted in favour of first reading Monday night, as it typically does for such OCP and zoning changes so it can go through a public hearing, it did not come without council members raising their own issues.

Coun. Betty Irwin argued there should be more discussion with the Yukon government on its decision to deem the highway access unsafe.

The horse and rider’s association role in the city is just as important as any other recreational group and facility.

The training and enjoyment of animals in particular is not only important in the Yukon, but everywhere, Irwin said.

With a couple of changes to the highway leading to the former speedway, she added, the road would be safe.

Irwin later wondered if anyone remembered when Mount Sima was opened.

The Yukon government had no problem making changes to the road to make it safer for the increased traffic heading to the ski hill.

Coun. Dave Stockdale noted his agreement with Irwin’s points. He also stated he’s in favour of increasing the number of country residential lots in the area as well.

Meanwhile, Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu said she understands the major issue residents of the area have is with the increased traffic and disruptions that could come when the horse and rider association hosts an event at the site.

There seem to be two different issues, Coun. Kirk Cameron observed.

One is having a safe access to the site. After driving out to the area recently, he said, he thinks better signage would go a long way to solving the sight line issues.

As for opening up more country residential properties in the area, Cameron noted that moving ahead to the public hearing would allow for more public discussion. He said he’s looking forward to the conversation.

Acting mayor John Streicker asked Brian Crist, the city’s director of infrastructure and operations, whether the government would be involved in the public hearing.

Crist noted officials had been contact with a number of questions about the access. The whole issue of the access is being looked at, he said.

With first reading approved, a public meeting on the proposal will be held Feb. 28.

That will be followed by the public hearing nearly a month later, at council’s March 25 meeting.

A report on that hearing will then come forward at the April 2 meeting, with a vote on second reading to follow on April 8.

If that passes, the OCP amendment would then go to a ministerial review.

It’s expected that step would take until the end of May before it comes back to council for third reading around June 10.

By STEPHANIE WADDELL
and Ainslie Cruickshank
Star Reporters