The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) has recommended that a residential development next to Fish Lake Road be permitted to proceed.

In a list of recommendations from YESAB to the Yukon government (YTG), the board urged the Raven's Ridge country development proposal be permitted to proceed provided certain concerns are addressed.

' ... (I)t is recommended that the project be allowed to proceed, subject to specified terms and conditions,' YESAB's evaluation report states.

In coming up with the recommendations, YESAB, which has advisory authority only, held public meetings and accepted submissions from interested stakeholders.

Key among YESAB's recommendations is that: the developers relocate approximately 150 metres of the Mt. McIntyre 10 k ski trail; and that no development take place within 60 metres of McIntyre Creek or the McIntyre marsh area located adjacent to the property.

' (I)t is then the conclusions of this assessment that a 60 metre setback will reduce significant adverse effects to critical riparian habitat and significant wildlife areas,' YESAB's recommendations state.

Earlier this year, Raven's Ridge developers Erik Nyland and Mark Radke said they would have difficulty staying within a 30-metre setback, the distance favoured by the city as a buffer between natural areas and development.

They are also seeking to have an area next to the marsh rezoned from environmental protection to a zoning allowing residential development.

The Raven's Ridge proposal, located on the city's first mining claims, the Kopper King and the Kopper Queen, was brought to city council and YESAB for consideration earlier this year.

Raven's Ridge is privately titled land that requires a land use permit from the Yukon government and is subject to the zoning authority of the city council.

Mayor Ernie Bourassa said Wednesday he would consider YESAB's recommendations very carefully when making his decision on the proposal.

In an interview, Bourassa said the main concern from council was the developers' application to have a protected area rezoned for development.

'Rezoning an area from environmental protection for development is a concern that many members of council have expressed,' Bourassa said.

'If YESAB is saying 60 metres, I would guess we would go to 60 metres,' he said.

Bourassa said protecting wetlands is a concern and a priority for council members.

Radke said Wednesday a 60 metre development setback would likely be unfeasible.

'We'd have to study the idea further, but it would be problematic.'

He said he and Nyland had planned to make use of an existing stretch of road, the original Fish Lake Road which skirts the wetlands adjacent to the area slated for development, and that he wasn't sure a road would fit anywhere else.

'You have to keep in mind these are only recommendations,' he said.

He said the 60-metre recommendation seems excessive.

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