Cameron Heiland has taken part in the planning charette, meetings, written letters and phoned city staff over the plans for the Whistle Bend subdivision on Porter Creek's lower bench.

He was also the only person to bring concerns over the plan to city council when a public hearing for the zoning for the first two of several phases for the development happened earlier this month.

Though he didn't speak at the hearing, he addressed the mayor in a letter, bringing up issues over the impact the first two phases will have on his property, which sits in the midst of the overall development.

"In addition to the issues I've already identified to the City of Whitehorse, I hereby state my objection to you and to council to the proposed zonings adjacent to my land which, in my respectful opinion, will devalue my property and diminish my quality of life by allowing commercial and public service institutions; and buildings up to a height of 15 metres which will restrict my current and future use of light and solar energy," he wrote in the short, blunt letter. He closed it by sharing his opposition to the subdivision.

"I disagree with and do not support the current Whistle Bend development plan."

Despite Heiland's argument, city staff are recommending council continue with the zoning bylaw, which would see second and third readings come forward at Monday's meeting.

In a staff report to council, presented by land development supervisor Pat Ross at last Monday evening's city council meeting, it's noted there actually are no commercial zones proposed that would be directly next to the Heilands' site.

"The nearest proposed commercial zoning is over 300 metres away," the report reads.

The land immediately adjacent to Heiland's property is proposed as roadways and buffer strips with the land next to those proposed as residential and Public Services zones.

"The specific development for the (Public Services) zoned land has not been determined at this time," reads the report.

"Typical uses expected for this property include playgrounds, community gardens, seniors housing, and other community-based uses. It is important to note that as the actual use for the (Public Services) land has not been determined and the privately owned land is zoned FD- Future Development, it is impossible to know the potential impacts on the adjacent property owner."

With both the second phase of Whistle Bend and the Heiland property designated as residential-urban in the city's Official Community Plan, city staff argued development on both sites should be compatible.

"Development of the (Public Service) zone areas in Whistle Bend will be completed through a public input process to determine the most appropriate uses for each parcel," the report reads.

City staff also noted that while there's a building height limit of 15 metres, sufficient space has also been retained in an effort to minimize the shadow that could come on Heiland's lot.

Setbacks and buffers that would be in place could also see buildings a minimum of 23.5 metres apart, the report noted.

"Solar impacts have been considered throughout the planning process and every effort has been made to reduce shadowing impacts for future developments," it reads.

The city will vote on second and third readings of the zoning this evening.

Mayor Bev Buckway and Councillors Dave Stockdale and Jan Stick were absent from Monday's council meeting, with Coun. Dave Austin serving as acting mayor.

Heiland could not be reached for further comment.Cameron Heiland has taken part in the planning charette, meetings, written letters and phoned city staff over the plans for the Whistle Bend subdivision on Porter Creek's lower bench.

He was also the only person to bring concerns over the plan to city council when a public hearing for the zoning for the first two of several phases for the development happened earlier this month.

Though he didn't speak at the hearing, he addressed the mayor in a letter, bringing up issues over the impact the first two phases will have on his property, which sits in the midst of the overall development.

"In addition to the issues I've already identified to the City of Whitehorse, I hereby state my objection to you and to council to the proposed zonings adjacent to my land which, in my respectful opinion, will devalue my property and diminish my quality of life by allowing commercial and public service

institutions; and buildings up to a height of 15 metres which will restrict my current and future use of light and solar energy," he wrote in the short, blunt letter. He closed it by sharing his opposition to the subdivision.

"I disagree with and do not support the current Whistle Bend development plan."

Despite Heiland's argument, city staff are recommending council continue with the zoning bylaw, which would see second and third readings come forward at Monday's meeting.

In a staff report to council, presented by land development supervisor Pat Ross at last Monday evening's city council meeting, it's noted there actually are no commercial zones proposed that would be directly next to the Heilands' site.

"The nearest proposed commercial zoning is over 300 metres away," the report reads.

The land immediately adjacent to Heiland's property is proposed as roadways and buffer strips with the land next to those proposed as residential and Public Services zones.

"The specific development for the (Public Services) zoned land has not been determined at this time," reads the report.

"Typical uses expected for this property include playgrounds, community gardens, seniors housing, and other community-based uses. It is important to note that as the actual use for the (Public Services) land has not been determined and the privately owned land is zoned FD- Future Development, it is impossible to know the potential impacts on the adjacent property owner."

With both the second phase of Whistle Bend and the Heiland property designated as residential-urban in the city's Official Community Plan, city staff argued development on both sites should be compatible.

"Development of the (Public Service) zone areas in Whistle Bend will be completed through a public input process to determine the most appropriate uses for each parcel," the report reads.

City staff also noted that while there's a building height limit of 15 metres, sufficient space has also been retained in an effort to minimize the shadow that could come on Heiland's lot.

Setbacks and buffers that would be in place could also see buildings a minimum of 23.5 metres apart, the report noted.

"Solar impacts have been considered throughout the planning process and every effort has been made to reduce shadowing impacts for future developments," it reads.

The city will vote on second and third readings of the zoning this evening.

Mayor Bev Buckway and Councillors Dave Stockdale and Jan Stick were absent from Monday's council meeting, with Coun. Dave Austin serving as acting mayor.

Heiland could not be reached for further comment.