The Ta'an Kwach'an Council (TKC) has taken the first step toward getting city approval on its subdivision plans.

The (TKC) submitted an application to have a 48.3-hectare parcel rezoned from FD-Future Development and PE- Environmental Protection to RC2-Country Residential 2 restricted.

Plans are moving ahead quickly for the 25-lot subdivision, which will be located across the Mayo Road from the Hidden Valley subdivision.

"A consultant, Inukshuk Planning & Development, has been hired to prepare the site plan and the YESAB submission," senior city planner Mike Gau, reading from an administrative report, told city council Monday night.

"The YESAB submission has been made and is in progress." YESAB refers to the Yukon Environmental Socio-economic Assessment Board.

The lots are all located along the Yukon River.

"As the land is first nation settlement land, these parcels will not be sold as 'fee simple' titled lots, but instead will be leased on a long-term basis," said Gau.

Earlier Star interviews with TKC staff indiciate the subdivision will be aimed at higher-income residents.

The development is in accordance with the Official Community Plan, although sections of the plan's regulations apply to the parcel's steep slopes.

EBA Engineering completed a geotechnical evaluation, reviewing topography, soil conditions and slope. Where there are slopes on the land parcel, no development will occur.

"Each development lot contains at least one good building site to locate a house," said Gau.

The EBA report also indicates the site conditions will not pose a problem for septic systems nor the drinking water supply.

In order to provide pedestrian access to the riverfront trails and respect the parcel's geotechnical qualities, the plan also includes a 30-metre buffer zone between the lot boundaries and the Yukon River. This setback will remained zoned PE-Environmental Protection.

"Identified archaeological sites have been set aside and will be managed according to a special protection plan," said Gau.

As a non-city development, TKC will be responsible for funding the two planned access roads, as well as securing permission from relevant jurisdictions.

There will, however, be an agreement signed between TKC and the city to ensure that city road standards are upheld and considered in their construction.

Richard Gorczyca answered questions from council on behalf of Inukshuk and the TKC. He said great care was taken in this initial planning process.

"The percentage of open space is quite great. We feel we have struck a balance with this proposal," he said.

TKC and Inukshuk are working on a timeline that Gorczyca said will see construction occurring this summer.

Under the bylaw schedule, the application will receive three readings, a public hearing and newspaper advisories. This process is scheduled to go until March 10.

If this zoning application is approved, TKC would then have to present the city with a finalized site plan for approval, as part of the development agreement.

That agreement also sets out details regarding standards, park and open space easements and ongoing infrastructure maintenance, such as garbage pickup.

A similar agreement currently exists between the city and Kwanlin Dun First Nation on Crow and Swan streets, said Gau.