Before summer, the entire city may vote on green areas to be included in one of the largest developed projects in the city's history.

City planner Mike Ellis spoke Tuesday at the final open house on the lower Porter Creek bench sustainable community project, known as Whistle Bend.

Ellis said every Whitehorse resident will likely get a chance to vote on the size and scope of the area's greenbelts.

'We passed the green space bylaw in 2006 and that requires a green space plan and a planning study to be done for new development that is voted on by the neighbourhood or whatever the areas are to be,' Ellis said.

'In this case, the city is of the opinion that the entire city should get to vote because it affects the entire city.

'Following that, if the green space plan is accepted, we can start working on things like the engineering predesign and sustainability studies.'

Tuesday's open house, Ellis added, was the last chance for the public to have input before the green space plan is penned.

The Whistle Bend concept, according to city information, is comprised of several concepts. They include a central market, green space corridors, a main road and subdivision nodes which include mixed-use housing.

Housing in the area, according to the city, would include single-family as well as multi-family housing units, with the entire subdivision expected to accommodate 10,000 people.

Houses, city officials stated when the council approved the plan last fall, are scheduled to hit the market in 2009.

Ross Burnett, the active living co-ordinator with the Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon, said at the open house he feels the Whistle Bend sustainable community concept is positive for Whitehorse.

'I think it's quite good; I think it's an excellent subdivision plan in terms of a walkability concept.

'If people can walk or bike to work or to get their groceries, than it's better for them from a health perspective and other points of view than hopping in the car and driving.'

City resident Jeff Olson said he took part in the planning charrette which developed the Whistle Bend concept.

Olson said while he wasn't sure the idea would work at first, he now feels the new subdivision will be a positive addition to the Whitehorse landscape.

'I was very skeptical when I first came up here because you were thinking that they were just trying to run something by you.'

Olson said he learned a lot from planning and sustainable community experts about everything that goes into making a subdivision.

'It's amazing the new technology that's on the shelf and being used in other countries.'

Mike Rideout, a new resident to Whitehorse and manager of the Mountain View Golf Course, said he too was impressed by the Whistle Bend concept.

'It's very thorough. What I think is important is all the stakeholders were involved in the process,' he said.

Rideout said as a newcomer, he felt the project will be a nice addition to an already good city.

'Whitehorse is terrific. It's been a great experience for me and my wife. We're really impressed by how friendly and cordial everyone is.'