A plan to build infill development in the Riverdale area has been scrapped.

City officials said in a statement this morning they have no plans to engage in infill development for the next several years.

The release states: 'The demand for land is becoming a more pressing issue for the City of Whitehorse and council has decided to direct city resources to other areas with more potential for a substantial number of lots to contribute to the land inventory.

'These areas include the Porter Creek Extension and Takhini North areas.

'The decision for development in Riverdale will be deferred to the next OCP (Official Community Plan) review scheduled for 2007.'

Mayor Ernie Bourassa said in the statement he felt delaying infill plans would enable city officials to gather more public input on the process.

'Council will consider a Neighbourhood Plan for Riverdale during our 2006 budget process which will be useful in helping identify the values of all the residents of Riverdale,' he said.

Planning manager Lesley Cabott said in an interview this morning that although the city has spent more than $40,000 on the proposed development, the decision had been made to direct city resources elsewhere.

Mike Racz, president of the Yukon Real Estate Association, gave a letter of opinion to the city promoting the development earlier this year.

He said this morning the city should now be looking at other areas of the city to develop because Whitehorse is facing a land shortage.

'I think they should look at all areas of the city. They have to hurry up; in two years' time, there will be quite a land shortage,' he said.

'People should remember that people are going to need a place to live.'

At a council meeting earlier this month, Tom Irvine, who has written close to 200 e-mails to council on the subject, said he would seek legal recourse against the city to stop the development.

Irvine, flanked by his wife, Ione, said he would file an injunction a legal move which would prevent the development from occurring by a court order if the city planned to move ahead with the proposed development.

Irvine said he does not support further development in Riverdale because of the toxic cloud hanging over the area which is produced from oil, wood and vehicle emissions.

'I am not prepared to compromise my health for the sake of losing a greenbelt and developing 23 or 44 homes, whatever the number is,' he said.

The controversy over Riverdale development emanated from a feasibility study presented to council by senior city planner Mike Gau.

The study includes four options which propose either 44 lots, 23 lots, or 17 individual lots with some of the options including multi-family units.

Answering questions from the Star following Irvine's legal threats, Coun. Dave Austin said while he was aware of health concerns highlighted by local physician Toney de la Mare, he felt it was just one opinion, and he was not officially aware of any health concerns.

'We're dealing with one man's opinion on the subject. We need a second opinion.

'It's a tough issue to deal with. With respect to Mr. Irvine, if I was living in an area that I thought was detrimental to my health, I would move. There's no reason I should let my health affect the way other people live,' Austin said

Cabott and Gau said while they were aware of concerns, infill development in places like Porter Creek and Riverdale were necessary to avoid urban sprawl ,and were supported under the city's OCP.

In a press release issued last week, Bourassa supported Cabott's and Gau's position.

'A compact urban form takes advantage of the established services and promotes environmental sustainability by helping to protect natural areas outside the urban boundary,' Bourassa said.

Public meetings on the proposed Porter Creek developments will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Holy Family School gym.