Whitehorse Daily Star

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Coun. Kirk Cameron

Council OKs housing committee’s plan

The six-month work plan proposed by the city’s new housing and land development advisory committee was accepted by city council at its meeting Monday.

By Chuck Tobin on February 2, 2023

The six-month work plan proposed by the city’s new housing and land development advisory committee was accepted by city council at its meeting Monday.

Council voted unanimously to accept the work plan.

The mandate of the committee is to generally focus on the elements of the housing development policies and process where the city holds authority, says an administrative report prepared for council.

The report explains the authority includes planning of new development areas, issuance of building permits, development incentives and key zoning regulations.

In addition, the committee may consider where the city collaborates with the Yukon government, First Nation governments and the private sector in making land available for housing development.

Council established the committee last July. Eight members were appointed, including one member from the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and one from the Ta’an Kwach’an Council.

Yukon government representatives participate as a non-voting, ex-officio seat on the committee, depending on agenda topics.

The administrative report says the committee has reviewed its mandate from council and has developed a work plan for the next six months that prioritizes:

• review of applicable zoning provisions related to housing;

• construction standards; and

• permitting processes.

At each committee meeting there has been an identified foundational item which will provide education and context for the topic along with a substantive discussion or working piece where details of the specific topic will be reviewed with a mind to suggested revisions or improvements, says the report.

“The proposed work plan also includes outreach through industry to inform committee recommendations, which so far includes establishing contractor breakfasts for feedback on identified topics which the committee will attend,” says the report.

The advisory committee bylaw requires the committee to meet at least six times per year.

The administrative report notes council’s strategic priorities identify that the city host a housing summit during its three-year mandate.

Currently, city administration is in discussions with the Yukon Housing Corp. to co-ordinate with the corporation’s annual housing summit.

The committee’s work plan suggests the summit will likely be in June.

Coun. Ted Laking told his colleagues Monday he is supportive of the housing committee but there is still a lot of work to be done beyond appointing a committee.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Coun. Kirk Cameron.

“We can’t reduce our focus to understand what is going on here in the Yukon and push hard to make sure housing is in the right context,” he said.

“At this time, it is important to focus on getting advice from the committee to find solutions.”

Coun. Dan Boyd emphasized the housing market is softening somewhat with the current rising interest rates, and it’s a good time for the city to start catching up to the demand.

The city, he said, has fallen behind in supplying the market for the past 12 years or longer.

Comments (8)

Up 14 Down 2

John - with a J on Feb 4, 2023 at 9:59 am

Hey Juniper:
I think this new committee is the one that has oversight of the previous committee that oversees the last committee

Up 5 Down 2

Pattern behavior on Feb 3, 2023 at 5:58 pm

Now all I look for is more drivel from politico, same as other left wing politicians. hehehe

Up 14 Down 1

Mr Facts on Feb 3, 2023 at 12:03 pm

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

Up 11 Down 1

Juniper Jackson on Feb 2, 2023 at 5:19 pm

Wow! This is really encouraging! "teach committee meeting there has been an identified foundational item which will provide education and context for the topic along with a substantive discussion or working piece where details of the specific topic will be reviewed with a mind to suggested revisions or improvements, says the report." They are going to talk a lot!!!!!!! Be still my heart!

Up 40 Down 3

Hobo on Feb 2, 2023 at 3:26 pm

After 12 years of falling behind and with all the demands the population has expressed, I am sure they will get it now. Then again, maybe not.

Up 48 Down 2

Matthew on Feb 2, 2023 at 3:11 pm

This is part of the problem.. too many "commitees" to many people need to agree. It never works out well.

Up 36 Down 2

Politico on Feb 2, 2023 at 2:08 pm

What a waste of money. How many studies and committees sit on the shelf but the fiscal conservatives on council want to waste more money studying the same thing again. Why? So they can say they are doing something when politicians are afraid to do the one thing that needs to be done to build more houses, put money on the table.

Up 42 Down 3

Juniper Jackson on Feb 2, 2023 at 1:02 pm

Another bloody committee. Who's paying the honorariums for them? and the catered lunch? or Supper? Oh..yeah. I am. And all the other tax payers. Landlords, expect a huge jump in taxes next year, renters? God knows now what you can expect.

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