In a historic moment for the city and the territory, Premier Dennis Fentie and Mayor Ernie Bourassa have signed off on a new land development protocol.

At a formal signing at city hall this morning, Fentie and Bourassa said the document represents a new era for development in Whitehorse and could be the beginning of the end to controversy embattling city residents over green space.

'My message to the development community is things are going to get better with this agreement,' the premier said.

'Our role is now defined and the Yukon government will work in a supportive manner with the City of Whitehorse.

The government, Fentie added, will still provide the city with its support, resources and expertise if required.

'This agreement, however, will allow us as governments to be in a situation where our roles are more clearly defined and where we can have a more efficient and timely process with respect to development,' Fentie said.

The signing of the land development protocol follows months of meetings between city and government officials.

The new agreement means the city will take the lead role in subdivision planning and zoning approval before presenting the Yukon government with a complete development package.

Prior to the protocol's signing, the city would identify a piece of land for development; the territory would design a subdivision, then pass the plans to the city for approval; and the plans would then be passed back to the Yukon government for construction.

Under the old system of development, both levels of government had to meet their legislated public consultation requirements.

Under the new development regime in Whitehorse, consultations will be clearer and development procedures easier to understand for the public, Bourassa said.

'The City of Whitehorse will now do all consultation and the subdivisions will be drawn by the City of Whitehorse,' the mayor said.

Fentie said with the new protocol, both levels of government could pursue their combined objectives of getting more land out on the market.

'I think the mayor and I share a common objective that's to ensure that we can make land available in a timely manner,' he said.

'We'd like to have more taxpayers as opposed to higher taxes.'