Kwanlin Dün First Nation Chief Doris Bill says she’s “extremely relieved” that zoning has been approved to raise the height limit for a proposed hotel on the waterfront.

However, she’s also “extremely upset” by the remarks of two councillors during discussion before the vote on the zoning Monday evening.

Bill spoke to reporters following the 3-2 vote for the zoning change on a proposed development that would see a hotel constructed on Front Street.

It will allow the structure to now be built to a maximum of 20 metres in the hotel portion of the project. The height limit on other sections closer to the river will be lower.

The development for 1181 and 1191 Front St. is being proposed by the River’s Edge Partnership. That’s an effort of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation’s Chu Níikwän Corp. and the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation’s Vuntut Gwitchin Limited Partnership.

The hotel would feature 100 rooms along with a restaurant and underground parking.

Officials with River’s Edge have said they plan work on due diligence in the coming months and will determine whether they will pursue the plans further.

Structures would be built perpendicular to the Yukon River to ensure there’s little impact to the trail, which residents could continue to access.

There are also plans to incorporate a strong Indigenous design and to integrate the development with the trail along the waterfront.

Councillors Samson Hartland and Betty Irwin voted against the final two readings of the zoning change.

Mayor Dan Curtis and Councillors Roslyn Woodcock and Dan Boyd voted in favour.

Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu declared a conflict on the issue, as she has done previously, and was not on hand for the vote nor any of the discussion. Coun. Rob Fendrick was absent from last night’s meeting.

Irwin argued that developers should be required to build within the height restrictions that were already in place. The city could be seen as ignoring the protests of many citizens and encouraging privatization of the waterfront, she added.

In making her arguments, Irwin also referenced “well-heeled” developers.

Bill took issue with the comment. She highlighted the history of First Nations being pushed out of the waterfront for many years, arguing that to “call us well-heeled” is very upsetting and not accurate.

The chief also took issue with Hartland’s stance on the proposal, pointing out he was the lone council member to vote against first reading last month.

Council typically passes first reading of most zoning changes to get it to the public hearing phase before second and third readings.

To turn it down so early, Bill said, is a slap in the face.

“He didn’t even reach out to us to find out what the project was about,” the chief added.

In his comments last night, Hartland said he supports the project in principle for the tourism and economic benefits it could bring.

However, he also supports documents like the city’s Official Community Plan (OCP) and the Downtown Plan, which stress lower height limits for the waterfront, Hartland added.

He noted the city will be reviewing the OCP next year and that would be a more appropriate time to review the issue.

Hartland said he was “extremely conflicted” about the zoning change, but just not able to fully support it now.

Bill pointed out there are already a number of buildings in the downtown area and on the waterfront that have had their zoning changed to raise the height limit, including the nearby Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.

Other council members, meanwhile, voiced their support for the zoning change, with Curtis commenting: “This is one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make.”

During the public hearing, he pointed out, the city received nine submissions supporting the proposal and seven against. Many of the nine in favour though, came from local organizations representing large parts of the community.

“This is not a sleek business model,” Curtis said, arguing self-governing First Nations are bringing the project forward – one he said will benefit the entire community.

He also pointed out that the concerns that came up during the public hearing have been addressed through amendments to the zoning.

Under those changes on the properties:

• any buildings that are taller than 12.5 metres must be set back at least 7.6 m from the property line next to the Yukon River reserve; and

• any buildings greater than 15 m high to have at least half the gross floor space as part of the hotel.

Additionally, while buildings on 1181 Front St. would have the 20 m maximum height limit, a 15 m height limit would be in place for 1191 Front St.

The mayor highlighted the public space along the waterfront, including the trail that runs along the waters edge, the three park spaces on the route and so on.

“This is not a difficult decision for me,” he said.

Similarly, Woodcock said: “For me, it’s not even a question.”

She also took issue with the idea that the city would not trust First Nations to build something that would benefit the community on the waterfront, highlighting their history in the area.

Finally, Boyd voiced his support for the proposed zoning change, noting that it’s within council’s mandate to change zoning from time to time, depending on the situation.

“We do want development on the waterfront,” he said, adding the city is also in need of more hotel space.

“Tourism is growing,” he said.

In this situation, it’s not unreasonable for the zoning to change, and the request is not proposing that the building be higher than what some other structures are in the area.

“It’s not a huge change,” Boyd said, pointing as well to the restrictions on the heights.

The approval for the zoning change was greeted with applause by many who were seated inside council chambers last night.

Outside council chambers following the vote, while Bill said that while she was upset by Irwin’s and Hartland’s comments, she expressed her thanks to Curtis for recognizing what the waterfront means to the First Nations.

Asked about the next step in the project, Bill said with a smile, “We build a hotel” as she and others left city hall.