There was resounding support from city council Monday for the Range Point Joint Master Plan that provides for housing developments.

The master plan provides guidance and a framework for the future development of Yukon government lot 262-6 and Kwanlin Dün First Nation settlement land parcel C-15B.

But council was not without its concerns, particularly around increased traffic the development would bring and its impact on existing infrastructure.

Coun. Dan Boyd told his colleagues that if council eventually approves the master plan, members of council will be signalling to themselves that they have work to do.

The discussion surrounded the existing population and the potential for more growth, necessitating the twinning of Mountainview Drive.

Coun. Ted Laking said the time is now to begin planning the twinning of Mountainview Drive.

The city’s growth continues with the development of Whistle Bend, he noted.

He pointed out the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council is also advancing plans for its own Whistle Bend development.

As well, Mountainview serves Porter Creek, which is also growing, he said.

Laking said the population of Whistle Bend was 527 people in March 2017. It’s now 3,100 to 3,200, he said.

According to Laking, the Yukon population is expected to hit 52,000 by 2030, and 63,000 by 2040.

Boyd said the Range Point development is not likely to come on stream for six or seven years.

“That is six or seven years the city will need now if we are going to meet the transportation requirements of this development ... and the continued development of Whistle Bend,” he said.

The development could involve up to 400 new residences.

The key point, said Boyd, is the city has to begin working on improving the transportation corridor serving that quadrant of the city.

“So as we approve this, we are telling ourselves we have to do that,” he said, adding it’s important the city begin the work sooner rather than later.

Mayor Laura Cabott said she agreed with the concerns raised by council regarding the impact on transportation.

But she said she hopes looking at twinning the city’s main arteries is not the only solution when it comes to facing traffic challenges.

“I hope we keep an open mind and look at more than adding roads for cars,” she said.

“I know that twinning has always been in the plan and it probably makes sense, but there are many other things we could be doing and should be doing.”

She advocated investing in transit to make sure it provides better service, providing more buses and providing more routes to encourage people to take the bus.

Cabott said there is continuing interest in active transportation.

The development of Range Road is what the proposal is all about, said Cabott.

“This is unique,” she said. “I think this is the first of its kind where we have a joint development, a joint master plan done by the Yukon government along with Kwanlin Dün.

“They put a lot of work into this and it looks wonderful.

“That is a great piece of land well-situated close to downtown, but also close to the wilderness.”

She said Kwanlin Dün and the government have come up with a variety of housing options – diverse, affordable compact housing – but it also keeps in mind the natural environment.

It maintains well-used, long-used trails but also creates parks and green spaces, she said.

Cabott said the proposal is in keeping with the city’s commitment to land development and housing but doing it on First Nation settlement land, which is exciting as well.

The mayor said she does not expect to see houses next year, but called this a fantastic project.