The Yukon government’s proposed 300-bed extended care facility in Whistle Bend is raising concerns for a number of residents around the city.

Some spoke out at a public hearing during Monday evening’s city council meeting.

The public hearing was focused on the rezoning of the third phase of Whistle Bend, which includes the site identified for the 21,900-square-metre building.

Other zoning amendments outlined in the bylaw would see a redesign of Casca Boulevard so lots are fronting onto local streets rather than the main road.

A number of single-family and townhouse lots would be replaced with multiple-family sites as part of the city’s effort to cut down on the amount of infrastructure needed while also increasing density in the area.

There would be fewer intersections on Casca Boulevard to improve traffic flow and align streets with infrastructure. The move also facilitates the addition of lots fronting onto Olive May Way.

Comprehensive zoning for a number of residential sections and commercial space is also proposed, with more public service lots drawn into the new diagrams.

In total, 143 lots for phase three are expected to house 300 residents in addition to the eventual 300 who will live at the extended care facility.

Among the residential lots proposed are 40 smaller single-family lots, nine large single-family lots, four duplex properties, 53 townhouse lots and 13 multiple-family sites.

Meanwhile, 35 commercial lots are also included in the proposal for the third phase as well as two institutional lots, one of which is for the continuing care facility. The other would be on the north side of Keno Way.

The main focus of last night’s discussion, however, was on the extended care facility.

Local residents argued such a large facility is not the way to go when it comes to providing long-term care.

Spence Hill, a local senior who’s involved with a number of organizations, pointed out there’s been no consultation about the proposed facility.

If 300 beds are indeed needed, as the Yukon government has claimed, the territory should look at providing smaller facilities in a variety of locations around the city, Hill suggested.

Pointing to Copper Ridge Place as an example, she said while the location has raised concerns for some, the facility itself is known for providing quality care for residents.

With 97 beds, Hill argued, it’s a good size for such a facility without being too big.

Similarly, Cam Koss argued at the very least, the city should restrict the zoning so the building is limited to one storey.

If there’s more than one storey, he suggested, it could become a “big box sanatorium” type of building.

He also pointed out having just one storey eliminates the need to worry about elevators and stairs. It would also make it easier to get residents out in an emergency situation like a fire.

Mike Gau, the city’s development services director, confirmed council can consider the scale of development in zoning decisions.

He also said that along with taking up a bigger footprint on the site, there could be other impacts to cost and efficiency, though the Yukon government would be in a better position to understand those impacts.

Parking and amenity space are required on the site, Gau pointed out.

A Whistle Bend resident living on Dora Crescent also took issue with the proposal for the facility.

Part of her decision to buy in Whistle Bend was around the original plans for the neighbourhood.

If she had known that a 300-bed facility would be going up across the street from her, she told council, she may have chosen to buy elsewhere.

The new plans for the area are not what she bought into and could impact the resale value of her home in the future, the resident said.

She went on to note she would be more agreeable with a smaller facility with somewhere around 60 beds.

Mayor Dan Curtis later reminded his fellow council members that the city can consider certain factors in zoning.

However, it is not within the city’s authority to issue suggestions on other ways of developing, such as proposing a number of small buildings around the city rather than a large one, the mayor said.

Also on hand for last night’s public hearing was Anthony DeLorenzo with the territory’s Department of Highways and Public Works.

He emphasized that while the facility will house 300 residents, it will be designed in a way to include various “pods” or neighbourhood-type areas.

“We do not want it to have an institutional feel,” DeLorenzo emphasized. “A sense of community is very important.”

The concept for a 300-bed facility, he said, comes from the current need and anticipated need for beds in the coming years and a desire for efficiency.

Having one facility creates efficiencies in staffing, maintenance and in other areas.

The design process, which is just getting underway, will involve working with stakeholders, and the government can look at engaging the neighbourhood in that as well.

Coun. Betty Irwin asked DeLorenzo how a decision by council not to go ahead with the rezoning would affect the territory’s plans for an extended care facility.

DeLorenzo noted the “ambitious” timeline the government has set out to having it open in 2018.

If the rezoning doesn’t go ahead, he said, the territory would have to look at where it would go from there.

DeLorenzo also emphasized the territory is planning for the facility to be a positive addition to the Whistle Bend neighbourhood.

The government visualizes the complex bringing workers to the neighbourhood and perhaps helping to spur further development in the new area.

The hearing’s main focus was on the extended care facility.

However, the city also heard from developer Lars Hartling, who’s building rental townhouse units in the second phase of Whistle Bend.

Hartling encouraged the city not to forget about Phase 2b of the city’s newest neighbourhood as it plans for Phase 3.

Along with the comments council heard at last night’s meeting, it received three written submissions on the zoning changes, with two expressing opposition and one being in favour.

A report on the public hearing will come forward next week, with third reading of the rezoning expected at the March 23 meeting.