The executive of the Riverdale Community Association (RCA) was scheduled to meet early this afternoon to discuss what will go into a letter it will send to the city on the proposed zoning bylaw.

Association president Doug MacLean invited the crowd of more than 130, who turned out for a public meeting on the zoning bylaw Wednesday night, to the letter-writing session scheduled for noon today in the cafeteria of the Yukon government's main building.

Last night's meeting focused on the proposed bylaw's impact on Riverdale.

The proposal would see the space between Firth Road and Boswell Crescent rezoned from parks and recreation (PR) to residential single-detached (RS). The current PR zoning allows for the greenbelt that's currently in place.

While most who spoke up at last night's session voiced their opposition to development in the neighbourhood, Kirn Dhillon said his opinion will largely depend on what type of housing would go into the area.

'I don't want to see duplexes, but I don't see why a few little developments, like just a few little housing lots, is a big deal,' he said.

A resident of Riverdale since 1984, Dhillon recalled when housing was developed across from Vanier Catholic Secondary School on Duke Street. The same issues of losing green space and 'everything's going to go down the tubes' came up, he said.

'Nothing ever happened,' he said.

Another resident replied to Dhillon's comments by pointing out no one knows what kind of housing would go in.

Planning manager Lesley Cabott replied to the concern of apartments by noting the RS zoning doesn't allow for them. Under the proposed zoning bylaw, RS zones allow for single-detached housing, duplexes and parks as principal, or main, uses.

Secondary uses in RS zones would include accessory buildings, two-room bed and breakfasts, family day homes, garden suites, minor group homes, minor home-based business and living suites.

There's also a number of conditional uses proposed in the new bylaw for RS zones, including child care centres, major group homes, major home-based business and manufactured homes. These require approval by city council.

The zoning bylaw is being rewritten to reflect the city's Official Community Plan (OCP), an overall planning document for land use in the city.

After adopting the most recent OCP in 2002, the city was required under the territorial Municipal Act to change the zoning bylaw to reflect the OCP.

Infill is also proposed for Porter Creek and Takhini North. Cabott noted that due to opposition during the OCP process, the possibilities were cut back to those areas.

Although there had been a rumour the Riverdale rezoning would see 15 new duplexes built in the new RS section, Cabott told the crowd no decision has been made on the type of development. There would need to be a number of studies as well as further consultation before that would be decided.

That left many wondering how a traffic study concluded the access in and out of the neighbourhood could handle the increased development.

'What we already have is a bridge too small,' one resident commented, referring to the Robert Campbell Bridge over the Yukon River in and out of Riverdale.

Cabott, a resident of the neighbourhood herself, explained an equation was used which took into account the approximate number of units per hectare in an RS zone (between 20 and 60) and the average number of residents per household in the zone of 2.4.

After Cabott explained there hasn't been a decision made on the type of housing, another resident suggested with the marketplace it could be duplexes that end up developed.

'What's going to sell is duplexes,' he said. He made that point after suggesting that raising the population of Riverdale with the development would trigger more serious air quality issues as more vehicles would be on the road.

Another resident commented that if he wanted to live in a high-density area, he could move to Toronto. He wanted to see the green space kept in place.

City planners pointed to the OCP as calling for infill development where already-established neighbourhoods are used for more residential areas. Others at the meeting used the document to stress their own views.

'One of the things it talks about is infill housing,' a resident told Cabott. 'It says, Consider a program of promoting infill housing in suitable areas... over a long period of time. Public involvement and support would be necessary for such a program to be successful.' '

He then questioned councillors Jan Stick and Dave Stockdale, who were at the meeting, on whether they thought there is public support for the infill.

Stick said she has heard from both sides of the argument on the issue. In addition to meetings where residents have voiced their opposition to the development, there are others who have sent letters supporting it.

'I don't know what to think right yet,' she said, adding she's considering suggestions that have come from area residents.

Both she and Stockdale live in Riverdale.

'It's right across the street from my house,' Stick said of the area affected. 'It's not in my back yard; it's in my front yard.'

A councillor of more than 20 years, Stockdale told the crowd he's been part of municipal government long enough to know not to make his mind up before all the options have been considered.

'I just want to look at what's possibly there,' he said. 'My sense is there's not a lot of public support for this development.'

His comment was greeted with applause from the crowd.

In addition to the comments from the residents on hand, MacLean read a letter from Riverdale South MLA Glenn Hart and Riverdale North MLA Ted Staffen. It stated their position of not supporting the rezoning the site from parks and recreation to residential.

Another letter was read from the Yukon Real Estate Association noted it was asked to provide input on housing needs in Whitehorse.

In inviting residents to take part in the letter-writing session today, MacLean also encouraged residents to write their own letters to city council on the issue by the deadline of 4:30 p.m. Monday.

There will be a public hearing as well at the Monday night council meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at city hall for anyone wanting to address council directly.