City council is being asked to approve a new residential development area in the Whistle Bend subdivision.

First reading of the required bylaw to amend the Official Community Plan (OCP) is scheduled to come forward next Monday, with a public hearing into the proposal scheduled for Nov. 23.

The 56 hectares in question are being referred to as Area C.

They were originally proposed as a recreation area to accommodate a new riding facility for the Yukon Horse and Riding Association.

The association used to have a facility in the same area, which is at the northwest corner of Whistle Bend.

“The association and city determined that a dense, urban neighbourhood was not the best fit for its purposes and the association dropped its interest in this land,” says the administrative report provided to council at its meeting Monday.

“The subject land now provides an opportunity for neighbourhood development.”

The amendment to the OCP would change the designation of Area C from greenspace to urban residential.

Area C will become the next area to be developed after the completion of phase seven of the current development schedule.

The Yukon government is the primary land owner and developer for Whistle Bend.

It has indicated it wants to begin detailed engineering work early next year to ensure there is a continuous supply of residential lots in the years to come, says the administrative report.

It notes the green space separating Area C from the Yukon River will be maintained.

Whistle Bend remains the city’s main growth area, the report points out.