A Whitehorse city councillor is hoping a motion she plans to bring forward next month will give existing mineral claim holders at least some sense of security.

At Monday evening's council meeting, Coun. Florence Roberts brought forward a notice of motion.

It proposes to add to the Zoning Bylaw a definition for mineral exploration and a new regulation so temporary use permits could be issued for exploration in the city to claim holders.

The permits would include "conditions deemed necessary to address the following:

a) disturbance from acquiring access and carrying out low-level exploration shall be limited and restored to the greatest degree possible through slope grading, landscaping and reforestation; and

b) impacts associated with the proposed use will be mitigated.”

The definition, meanwhile, would read: "Mineral exploration means grassroots ground exploration activities that have low potential to cause adverse environmental effects, are completed within a year and do not require government approval.”

This morning, Roberts explained the wording was initially proposed for the recently revised Zoning Bylaw, but then taken out due to the moratorium on staking in municipal boundaries. The moratorium does not affect existing claims.

There's also been confusion over what legislation takes precedent when it comes to staking claims within the city.

While city staff have suggested the matter would have to be settled in court, Roberts believes there has to be a better way.

She suggested there should be some method of requesting a judicial review on it before it is challanged in court. It's unfair for claim holders to bear the cost of challenging the matter, she said.

"We're expecting claim holders to absorb the (court) costs,” Roberts said.

While her proposal, which will come forward at the Sept. 10 council meeting, won't request that review, she emphasized she wants to provide the holders with more security through the Zoning Bylaw.