Copper Ridge-area plan stirs concerns
City council is mulling over a proposal for a residential development in the Copper Ridge neighbourhood.
City council is mulling over a proposal for a residential development in the Copper Ridge neighbourhood.
The plan area is located in the Copper Ridge neighbourhood at the intersection of Falcon Drive and Diamond Way.
The proposal generally follows the city’s Official Community Plan growth strategy “which seeks to accommodate 1,100 new dwelling units within neighbourhoods outside of the Urban Core and Urban Growth Areas, such as Copper Ridge, to meet projected housing demand, reduce urban sprawl, preserve the natural environment, minimize new infrastructure, and use existing infrastructure efficiently,” according to a staff report.
To achieve this goal, an area between Copper Ridge Place and Falcon Drive was identified for potential development.
The proposal, according to a staff report, would see advancing the Copper Ridge Development Area Master Plan for council approval on the residential development of Yukon government (YG) lots 518 (in part), 519, and the City of Whitehorse-owned lot 520.
The report states current services would support low-density residential development for approximately 248 people or 103 dwelling units. Upgrades would be needed for higher residential density.
Public consultation efforts indicated the concept wasn’t a popular one in the area.
“As part of the second round of public engagement, the majority of respondents (74 per cent) indicated being very or somewhat opposed to either concepts.
“Main opposition to either option related to the overall loss of greenspace, potential traffic impacts, and opposition to development other than the previously planned school in the area.”
Council was presented with a few options on the subject. A public input session could be scheduled, or the issue could be sent back to administration for further work.
There wasn’t a lot of comment from the council members.
Mayor Laura Cabott questioned whether there would be enough green space in the neighbourhood if the development went through.
She noted it was one of the primary concerns the community conveyed to the city.
She was told there are other areas 500 metres to a kilometre away.
The decision will go to council next week to approve a public consultation session, which would be held in late February.
Comments (9)
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JustSayin' on Jan 30, 2024 at 2:34 pm
Once upon a time, the area in Copper Ridge was green space. Before Granger, it was green space. It was beautiful. You could hike back there and see wildlife, but now it is traffic, houses and urbanization at its finest. How about we stay the wilderness city and keep people out until our electrical grid can keep up with the current demand? How about we ensure that the aquifer in the area can keep up with the current markets? How about we gear down and remember that not everyone needs 2000 square feet? Downtown houses were small footprints and accommodated more. I miss the old Yukon.
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Tony on Jan 26, 2024 at 8:36 pm
I am a long time CR resident and am also an outdoors person. CR is surrounded by pristine Yukon wilderness so the idea of losing greenspace??? Whitehorse needs housing and not everyone wants to live in WB. One problem is, the City and YG don't ever make solid decisions when developing, driving development costs up requiring dense infill to cover costs. I am ok with infill but CR has lot sizes that accommodate back and front yards, on lot parking, proper setbacks, etc. Keep the existing CR housing concept and infill is ok. Stay away from the multi family row housing or townhouses that is WB or parts of Ingram. Also, think of all ages and not just young people or first home buyers. There are lots of 50+ people that can't get out of their big houses or downsize as there are no options.
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Nathan Living on Jan 25, 2024 at 2:57 pm
Please protect the greenspace it's good for the health of City residents.
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Stephen on Jan 25, 2024 at 11:34 am
@john….cmon, the area is used by dog walkers…that’s incorrect, the area is is used to facilitate a dog pooing area, people who actually walk their dogs do so in the bazillion acres just west. If you walk from anywhere within 5 minutes you are in green space.
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John Gunter on Jan 24, 2024 at 11:48 pm
I agree with most people’s concern over the planned development in the forested area behind the Copper Ridge Place. There is little or no available green space in Copper Ridge. The area in question has been used over 20 years by residents for recreational purposes by cyclists, dog walkers and people who just want to enjoy their walks through the forests. City councillors should be think long-term about the availability of green space in Copper Ridge. I have walked the area since 2009 with my dogs as many other dog walkers have that O have. I would hate to see the forest disappear.
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Scott on Jan 24, 2024 at 10:19 pm
Traffic coming out of that area is bad enough already. What else is absurd is 390 units planned for "Range Point" by Northland! With same infrastructure?? Leave the green space alone. Build by the university or valley view area. Whistlebend is enough for the area. Valleyview could benefit that area of town. Or extend Hillcrest!
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Tim on Jan 24, 2024 at 10:08 pm
We need housing stop listening to people that don't understand that if the city has to grow can't just be government jobs and fast food workers
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Cam Kos on Jan 24, 2024 at 8:07 pm
Are 100 units too many? I may agree.
They are proposing 1/10th of that on just one single little RS lot on Centennial Street.
We all need to support each other as home owners in all areas of town, from area designs being drastically changed (after a subdivision goes in) from what was originally planned. This happens under the disguise of "changed" or "new" or "updated" Official Community Plans.
100s of residents in Porter Creek said over 10 years ago in a meeting at PCHS no more densification, but that has been totally ignored and forgotten about. Seems the City will keep having consultations until people lose interest or get tired of trying to speak up… And then use that as a lack of interest or implied support to change things.
Myself, and I believe other people, aren't opposed to development. All people ask is that things conform or fit in to the existing look and feel of neighbourhoods and ORIGINAL PLANNING. Thats why we all select the type of location we want to live in before buying and committing to multi-decade financial debt and home repayments!
Why bother planning new areas, or having a planning dept? Seems every time there is staff turnover or new hires with new ideas, or any old developer with the right connections comes in ... they can rezone whatever they want in the middle of an existing and preplanned area.
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Stephen on Jan 24, 2024 at 3:44 pm
I am a Copper Ridge resident, I don’t mind an infill, but 103 dwelling units, that’S absurd.