Major changes to plans already made for the Whistle Bend neighbourhood could mean letting down all those who came out to public meetings, charette sessions and other initiatives aimed at deciding what Whitehorse’s newest neighbourhood would look like, says city councillor Betty Irwin.

She made the statement Monday evening after acting planning manager Kinden Kosick brought forward a public hearing report around a number of zoning changes proposed for the third phase of Whistle Bend.

Before recommending moving ahead to second and third readings on the changes, Kosick addressed concerns brought up during the public hearing, which largely centred on the Yukon government’s proposal to build a 300-bed continuing care facility in the area.

As Kosick acknowledged in his report: “There was concern that the continuing care facility is not consistent with the vision for Whistle Bend.

“The original charette and master plan for Whistle Bend did not consider any institutional facility of this type or magnitude.

“The original planning included three potential school sites and a small institutional/public service area in each phase. These institutional/public service areas are meant to provide an identity, focal points for the phases and community uses for residents, such as community gardens, playgrounds, community halls or potentially smaller seniors housing.”

One resident who spoke at the public hearing had noted she may have chosen to purchase land elsewhere if she had known a large continuing care facility would be built near her.

Irwin said she took exception to Kosick’s point that “plans are fluid” and can change over time. That statement leads her to have no confidence in any plans that come forward, Irwin said.

Essentially, she said, it’s stating that the original plans for the area are “worthless.”

Irwin then commented she will likely have a lot more to say on the matter when second reading comes forward next week.

Yukon government officials have argued the large continuing care facility is needed to meet growing demand, with Whistle Bend being the only area with the amount of undeveloped land needed for a facility.

Prior to the public hearing report coming forward Monday night, Nancy Kidd addressed council members about the facility. The registered nurse has worked in all four continuing care facilities in the territory at some point since 1991.

Kidd emphasized the care philosophy that is the basis for all decisions made in the facilities, noting staff strive to create a feeling of home.

While extensive design work has yet to be done, she noted the model for the proposed facility is based on a house concept where a number of rooms will be connected with common areas making it like a house.

Houses will then be connected by streets which link to the “village centre” of the overall facility.

“We envision a welcoming building,” Kidd said, emphasizing that a feeling of home for residents is of the utmost importance in developing the facility.

Council members, meanwhile, wanted to know what kind of input those living in Whistle Bend will have in the design of the structure.

“That’s the gap that’s missing for me,” Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu said.

Anthony DeLorenzo, who works with the territory’s Department of Highways and Public Works, later noted the design contract will be a competitive process and therefore not open for public debate.

However, the territory would be open to attending any public meetings and discussing the project with residents, DeLorenzo said.

He also noted there will soon be a project website up.

While Irwin took issue with the plans, Mayor Dan Curtis argued via conference call Whistle Bend is the only location in the city for the much-needed facility. He pointed out there’s not enough room close to Whitehorse General Hospital to build.

While land near Porter Creek Secondary School was considered, Curtis added, the city has heard loud and clear from residents in that neighbourhood that there’s already been enough new development there.

Meanwhile, the tank farm area along Hamilton Boulevard is privately owned and therefore not a possibility.

It would be “news of the weird” anywhere else, he suggested, if the city were to erect roadblocks on this.

Irwin noted that while she appreciates the mayor’s support of the Yukon government’s proposal, it still represents a “major, major change” for what was envisioned in the neighbourhood and there are still no extensive design plans for her to base a decision on.

Coun. John Streicker, who attended via conference call, was quick to note the area is zoned as future planning, which means at some point a use for the site will be planned.

While the main focus of Monday night’s discussion was on the continuing care facility, a number of changes to residential zoning and intersections are planned for the area.

Second and third readings will come forward next week.

Coun. Dave Stockdale was absent from Monday’s meeting.

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