Three governments will work together on plans for the next phase of the Whistle Bend neighbourhood.

At last Monday’s city council meeting, council approved changes to the city’s capital budget.

They add another $100,000 from the Yukon government for expanded planning to include additional land along with phase eight and the town square of the neighbourhood.

The change raises the project budget from $200,000 to $300,000.

Officials from the city, territory and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council will all be involved in the process with a Ta’an Kwäch’än parcel now included in the plans.

As it was highlighted in a previous report to city council: “Following discussions with the Yukon government, the subject area has been expanded to include the Ta’an Kwäch’än parcel in the planning, as well as the ‘fin’ area near the old lagoon site.”

The extensive involvement of three governments is notable for the city, planner Mike Ellis told council last week.

Ellis confirmed that the city has worked in conjunction with First Nations on higher-level planning studies for other areas of the city where First Nations have land parcels.

This, however, marks one of the first times more detailed planning work has been done.

It’s becoming increasingly standard for the city and First Nations governments to share information and planning initiatives with one another, Ellis said.

There is already an agreement in place among the Ta’an, city and territorial government to include the Ta’an’s parcel in this phase of the planning for Whistle Bend.

“This will help (the) Yukon government with the overall servicing plan for the neighbourhood with respect to capacity and infrastructure design,” Ellis said.

“Ta’an Kwäch’än Council will be included in the planning work and will have final decisions on any development designs for their parcels.

“Zoning and subdivision approval remains the jurisdiction of the city.”

The fin area is next to Phase 7 and includes an area that had originally been envisioned as an area for relocation of the Yukon Horse and Rider Association.

“The (association) along with the city determined that this location was not appropriate due to access concerns related to large trucks and trailers moving through a dense urban neighbourhood,” Ellis said.

“The fin area is now being considered for neighbourhood expansion. It is also a proposed location for a city snow dump. This area is designated as green space in the 2010 Official Community Plan, which would allow a snow dump.

“If this project shows high potential for development, a designation change will be discussed as part of the upcoming OCP review process.”

Public input will be part of planning process for the next phase of Whistle Bend.

Since Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu left Monday’s meeting early, she was absent when the vote was taken.

Coun. Dan Boyd attended the meeting by conference call.