The Kwanlin Dun First Nation (KDFN) objects to plans to build a country residential subdivision next to the Meadow Lakes Golf and Country Club.

The reason, they say, is they were told by the Yukon government (YTG) they couldn't have the land during land claim negotiations because it was earmarked for an additional nine holes of golf.

The first nation has made a submission to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board on the proposed development.

In it, the KDFN said they object to plans by the course's co-owner, Jeff Luehmann, to build 27 country residential lots and two commercial properties next to the existing golf course.

'During negotiation of (the) land claim agreement, KDFN selected (the) parcel now (being) applied for by Meadow Lakes Golf and Country Club.

'YTG told KDFN (they) could not have (the) parcel for residential development because Meadow Lakes was gong to use if for golf course expansion,' the KDFN's submission states.

The band's submission also states that as a result of the golf course expansion plans, they selected 'a smaller, less accessible and less valuable' property.

'We object to (the) applicant now being allowed to apply for (a) change in land use without consideration of KDFN's interest in this parcel.'

Earler this year, KDFN chief Mike Smith said his band had not been treated fairly.

'We argued ... We said no. We wanted to develop that as residential properties. We saw that as prime residential properties.

'And now we find, oh, oh, it's not going to be a golf course. We fooled you; it's going to be a residential property,' Smith told a news conference.

Meadow Lakes currently holds a lease, including a purchase agreement, for the 23.6-hectare property for the creation of an additional nine holes of golf.

The current lease does not allow for the creation of a country residential subdivision.

Luehmann has gone through the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act process and is currently applying to the city to have the area rezoned for residential development.

The KDFN's concerns echo those of Coun. Doug Graham at a meeting of city council earlier this year.

Graham said he didn't feel Luehmann's application was either fair or equitable because the KDFN was told it couldn't access the land because of expansion plans, and no other Yukoner had an equal opportunity to buy the property.

In an interview this morning, Graham said concerns raised by the KDFN were very similar to his reservations.

'If that happened the way KDFN says, and I have no reason to doubt them, it seems to say exactly what I've said all along.'

Graham said while the city's mandate is for zoning, he felt council should reject Luehmann's rezoning application because the way in which the land is being applied for isn't fair.

KDFN officials and Energy, Mines and Resources Minister Archie Lang could not be reached for comment.