There is a long list of questions that need to be answered before remediation work can begin on the former site of the tank farm.

That was the message of many Hillcrest residents who addressed city council at its meeting Monday night, during which a public hearing was held on a proposed amendment to the Official Community Plan (OCP).

The change would allow for remediation work to happen at the site bordered by the Alaska Highway, Hamilton Boulevard, Valleyview and Hillcrest.

Property owners don't typically need the OCP changed in order to do such work on their property.

In this case, however, the developers – who are looking to turn the site into a residential development – are looking for the change because it will be a longer-term clean-up expected to take two to five years.

Last night, residents outlined the problems they see happening with the plans to excavate the contaminated soil, which sits more than 30 metres below the ground in some locations.

"What (are) the implications for Hillcrest?” Linda Cameron asked. She pointed to the possibilities of noise, fumes and dust that could arise once the excavation begins.

One of seven delegates to address council on the matter, Cameron also wondered about the haul route for the excavated material, noting it seems there's a possibility Hillcrest Drive could be used.

Others wondered about the plan to dump and treat the contaminated soil near the neighbourhood, arguing it should be located elsewhere in the interests of residents' health and safety.

The dumpsite, it was also argued, could easily become an eyesore.

Heather Swynsten questioned whether the proposed method for remediation – excavating the contaminated soil – is the best option or if it's simply the cheapest.

She argued there could be a risk of contaminating a nearby pond if the contaminated soil that's dug up is placed nearby.

How the increased traffic would be managed and what would become of the trail network through the area that's heavily used by residents of various neighbourhoods also topped her list of questions.

Swynsten argued it would be irresponsible to move forward on things too quickly, suggesting another six weeks would be needed for the Hillcrest Community Association to consider the proposal.

"I'd like answers to all these questions,” she said.

Many delegates asked what would be put in place to ensure the site is cleaned up and not left as is part-way through he project.

Paul Inglis noted his surprise in the plan to dig up the contaminated soil.

"There doesn't need to be this massive amount of excavation,” he said, arguing the plans look more like a quarry operation than a remediation project.

While many delegates took issue with the plans for the site, Christina McDonald, the Yukon Conservation Society's wildlife co-ordinator, voiced her group's support for the development.

It means contaminated solid will be cleaned up and land will be put to good use, she said.

Clearly though, there are a lot of questions that will need answers before work begins on the site.

With many of the issues focused on the environmental impacts, Coun. Florence Roberts questioned whether delegates will be taking their concerns to the Yukon Environmental Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB) as well.

YESAB may issue recommendations that are then considered by the territorial government for approval.

Inglis said he doesn't understand how the city could move forward with the OCP change without a YESAB decision on the work.

And it appeared at least one councillor agreed.

"I think we have a broken process here,” Coun. Kirk Cameron said.

He made the remark after Brian Crist, the city's director of operations, told council the YESAB process is dependent on the city's OCP process.

Following the presentations by residents, a project director with Golder Associates, an environmental engineering company hired to do the work on the site, told council the OCP and YESAB processes are happening at the same time.

Gary Hamilton also noted the venture is not a quarrying project.

However, it does require the removal of ground to get to the source of the contamination. The top level of the ground that's removed will be transported to where material may be needed elsewhere, he added.

There are very few volatile contents that would be dug up, with most of the contamination coming from diesel fuel that seeped into the ground, Hamilton said. He did acknowledge there may be a smell coming from the contaminated ground.

Kari Dow, who works for Golder in the company's Vancouver offices, also noted that while trails in the area would have to be cordoned off, there would be alternative routes around where work is being done.

After the reclamation is complete, she said a trail network would be put in place as part of the overall development of the area.

Dow also noted there is no blasting planned as part of the work.

That's a concern a number of delegates broached, recalling the blasting that happened for the Hamilton Boulevard extension several summers ago.

In that case, a mistake made in the blasting saw rocks fly into the homes of residents of the Lobird trailer park.

The Golder representatives made themselves available to residents to speak one-on-one outside of council chambers following the public hearing.

They also noted there will be future meetings with residents to discuss the ongoing plans for the former tank farm.

The site is expected to house any where from 500 to 800 housing units when it's fully developed.

Along with the presentations at the meeting, the city received 14 written submissions on the proposal, with 11 of those stating their opposition to the OCP change.

A report on the public hearing will come back to council next week with second reading of the OCP change expected to happen Sept. 24.

Third reading isn't likely to occur until Nov. 24 because any OCP change requires ministerial approval at the territorial level.

After second reading, the change would go to Community Services Minister Elaine Taylor for approval before coming back to council for third reading.