A developer planning phase two of the Raven's Ridge subdivision appeared before city council Monday night for the first reading of a required bylaw to rezone land from parks and recreation to country residential.

In the previous week's council meeting, the Raven's Ridge development backers asked council to rezone a parcel adjacent to their phase one subdivision for the development of the phase two property.

The city's moratorium on the subdivision of country residential lots was implemented over concern that increasing densities in country residential neighourhoods could have a negative impact on the community.

In response, Raven's Ridge Development hired EBA Engineering to conduct an analysis to determine whether the additional 16 lots in phase two would have any impact on the 18 lots sold in phase one.

The engineering firm was also asked if there could be any impact on the water table and the ability for the area to absorb more septic fields.

Mark Radke, one of the directors and shareholders of the Raven's Ridge development, appeared before council to address some concerns leading up to the first reading.

A concern from council had been whether the development would attach to the city's sewer system.

The developers, council was told, had deemed it too expensive to hook up to the nearest sewer connection at the Kopper King area, but environmental health officials have approved on-site water and septic conditions for the site.

"It is fair to say that if the situation changed, if the lines had been upgraded, it wouldn't be feasible at this stage in the game to convert to city services,” said Radke. "You simply couldn't do it and make any money on it.”

During the previous week's meeting, council was told the Mount McIntyre Ski Club supports the rezoning application for phase two of Raven's Ridge. Coun. Dave Stockdale had asked for written confirmation from the club.

A letter of support was provided to council for Monday evening's meeting.

"Phase one, had an agreement with the ski club that we would reroute the trails in such a way that, not only would it bypass phase one, but it would also bypass phase two, so we wouldn't run into the same problem if the development was to go ahead,” said Radke.

"So they provided us with a letter several years ago indicating that they were satisfied with that and we provided it to council.”

There had also been a persistent concern that there would only be one roadway in and out of Raven's Ridge.

Developers have told council that because of steep slopes in the area, a second road access is not possible, though a pedestrian path to the Alaska Highway will be built.

Council had indicated it would not rule on the rezoning until the results of the EBA study are complete.

"We anticipate that we should have a report from them in the next few weeks,” said Radke.

Several members of council, however, appeared to view the project favourably during Monday's meeting.

"I just appreciate these developers undertaking challenging topography to get it done,” said Coun. Ranj Pillai.

"Because it seems for the most part if it isn't flat, like a field or something that just has to be treed, then it's a different story; people don't want to build. But this is different, and but I appreciate that.”

A public hearing is scheduled for May 14, while the final vote on the Raven's Ridge development is penciled in for May 28.