City council is still hmming and hawing about an application to build 60 caretaker resident units in Marwell, even though feedback at a public hearing was largely positive.

Northern Vision Development has applied to build 20 triplexes in the Marwell area, and would like to give future owners of the commercial space the option of having a caretaker residence on the top floor.

"City-wide regulations permit only one caretaker residence per lot," said senior city planner Mike Gau, reading an administrative report at Monday evening's standing committee meeting.

Since each triplex would be built on one lot, the current zoning does not allow for multiple caretaker units.

"The amendment would also restrict the size of these suites to 100 square metres each," said Gau. That equates to about 1,000 square feet.

The public hearing drew residents generally supporting the development as sustainable and helpful to prospective business owners.

Since the bylaw amendment received first reading earlier this year, council has debated its pros and cons at numerous council meetings.

This past Monday was no exception.

"My first problem is that this would be as dense as a mobile home park, but in this case we don't provide the amenities," said Mayor Bev Buckway.

"Problem number two is what about everybody else in similar situations in business parks will be wanting us to cater to them too?"

Coun. Dave Stockdale dismissed public input that suggested if business owners live above their workplaces, there is apt to be less crime due to the increased surveillance.

"I'm a little skeptical of that," he said. "I don't think it really holds water, in my estimation."

"I can't envision 60 caretaker units in that area; it's not serviced like that," said Coun. Florence Roberts. "I don't know what we'd be encouraging."

Gau told council that a mix of commercial and residential uses is a positive component of many Canadian municipalities.

"The proposed development would add a new option to the housing market and may provide a unique, affordable housing option for small business owners," he said.

In addition to the public feedback compiled for council's consideration, Gau explained that a caretaker working group was recently reconvened to debate the merits of this development.

The members stem from a 2005 group created to discuss issues with the Mt. Sima industrial area caretaker units.

"The majority of those who attended the meeting expressed support for this amendment," said Gau. Of the five members present, only one was opposed, he said.

The wording of the bylaw should also change, Gau suggested, to ensure clarity.

Instead of reading that one caretaker unit would be allowed per business unit, as many could occupy one single space, he suggested a measurement be used instead.

The bylaw amendment would then allow for 16 units per hectare, which agrees with the proposal.

Gau said that any future water and sewage lines to service the area would be at the development cost of Northern Vision, with the additional requirement of the Yukon government's permit for a septic system.

One councillor defended the merits of the development, saying her fellow councillor should stop worrying it would turn Marwell into a subdivision.

"It's going to be a very certain type of person moving down there," said Coun. Jeanine Myhre. "It's not going to be people in Copper Ridge saying, 'Hmm, let's move down to Marwell.' We have to consider that."

Indeed, any residents of the caretaker units would have to be associated with the business downstairs.

Myhre pointed out, however, that such a rule could only be enforced on a complaint-driven basis, and not by bylaw inspections.

The issue returns to council for a second and third reading at a future council meeting.