Plans by the Meadow Lakes Golf and Country Club to develop a 27-lot country residential subdivision on land originally intended for nine holes of golf are not fair or equitable to the public.

That's the opinion of city councillor Doug Graham, who said if Meadow Lakes co-owner Jeff Luehmann wasn't going to use the 23.6-hectare property for his golf course, he shouldn't be allowed to use it at all.

'I'll make my position very clear ... if the land is not used for the purpose originally intended, it should revert back (to the public),' Graham said during Tuesday evening's council meeting.

'I don't believe a change in use after gaining a lease is appropriate.

'I think (Luehmann) has done a great job (with the golf course) but it's the disposition of land; I just completely disagree with it.'

If the 23.6 hectares was to be rezoned for residential purposes, Graham added, that land should go out to public tender so all interested parties, if any, would have an equal opportunity to acquire it.

'It's probably the worst disposition of public land that I've ever seen,' he said of the area, located off the Alaska Highway in the Wolf Creek-Pineridge region.

According to documents filed under the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act (YESAA), the area, originally eyed for the back nine and now for residential development, is bounded by the Meadow Lakes golf course to the west and the Yukon River to the east.

'(The) project is to clear and construct 27 country residential lots for sale to the public, adjacent to Meadow Lakes golf course on land presently held under surface lease for golf course expansion ... and request has been made for agreement for sale for the subject lands,' YESAA documents state.

The report also states that Official Community Plan (OCP) and zoning amendment applications have been filed with the city and further permits for highway access and land clearing would be required.

Luehmann is currently applying to city council for rezoning and an OCP amendment.

According to council documents, Luehmann acquired a lease for the 23.6 hectares in 2003.

'In November 2003 Meadow Lakes Golf and Country Club acquired a lease with an option to purchase for 23.6 hectares of commissioner's land directly adjacent to the existing golf course for the purpose of expanding the golf course.

'Yukon lands branch has indicated that the sale of the property for residential purposes is contingent on (a) city OCP amendment and zoning approval.

'The applicant can still purchase the land for golf course expansion but the sale price will be different. Yukon government considers Mr. Luehman as having tenure to this land,' council documents state.

During Tueday night's meeting, city planning manager Lesley Cabott said the area would support on-site water wells and sewage disposal.

Answering questions from Coun. Bev Buckway, Cabott said she couldn't recall an instance where someone had applied for a zoning amendment for such a significant change in land use.

Addressing council, Luehmann said the decision to scrap the back-nine was a business decision and that the country residential parcels would help subsidize Meadow Lakes.

Luehmann pointed out to council that the only way into the 23.6-hectare property is through the golf course so the property is effectively landlocked to other interested parties.

'It's inaccessible unless you come through the golf course itself ... so nobody else would be able to use it; it would just sit there,' he said.

Luehmann also said that he's spent $80,000 improving land in the area, and $20,000 in lease payments, and feels his tenure over the land should be recognized by the city.

'I have an agreement with the YTG; and that should be honoured.'

The agreement, Graham responded, was for a golf course, not for a residential subdivision.

Mayor Ernie Bourassa said this morning Luehmann's proposal is 'interesting' and will likely spark debate among council.

'(The land) is basically being sole-sourced ... council does have some concerns,' he said.

Bourassa said while he wasn't sure if changing the land use from a golf course to a subdivision is appropriate, he feels nobody else would be able to do anything with the property because it's landlocked.

'I'm not sure anyone else would have an interest in the land,' the mayor said.

The Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board will host a public meeting on Luehmann's plans at the Westmark Whitehorse Hotel between 7:00 and 9:00 this evening.