In bringing forward the new proposed Zoning Bylaw, City of Whitehorse staff have presented a "gem of a compromise,” according to one city councillor.

Coun. Florence Roberts made the statement at Tuesday evening's council meeting.

She argued the community should appreciate the efforts of the planning department to come up with the rewritten regulations that cover everything from how tall buildings can be to the landscaping around those building.

While Roberts wasn't present at last night's meeting, she attended through conference call, stressing the plan has been the culmination of a lot of work.

City planner Mike Ellis outlined the major changes. He noted they fall into five major categories:

• the environment;

• equity;

• community development;

• diverse local economy; and

• administrative changes.

Under the proposed bylaw, certain areas of the downtown sector would see the building height limit rise to 25 metres from 20.

As well, multiple housing would become a principle use in the Residential Downtown zone, though, as Coun. Dave Stockdale stressed, there would be a limit of four units there.

Other notable changes Ellis noted in his report include:

• an increase in the amount of Environmentally Sensitive and Greenbelt zoned land;

• allowing child care facilities in new zones and day homes to be in accessory buildings;

• requiring more accessible units;

• relaxing regulations around suites and allowing laneway houses;

• allowing stand-alone residences on Neighbourhood Commercial sites rather than requiring them to be second-storey suites over the commercial operation;

• combining the Residential Single Detached and Residential Alternative zones so there can be more flexibility in redevelopment;

• adding a new Future Planning zone, areas that would be set aside until more detailed planning work can happen;

• requiring landscaping in all residential zones and more landscaping in developments along the Alaska Highway;

• restrictions on caretaker residences;

• parking changes for the downtown area;

• a new Agriculture zone that would create agriculture uses on public land and a large private aquaculture operation;

• requiring a development permit for all construction of single-detached structures; and

• a new First Nations zone to reflect the Kwanlin Dun First Nation to enact laws on its land.

While the city also considered looking at regulations around animals, those are coming forward as part of the Animal Control Bylaw.

They propose permitting back yard chickens and applying greater restrictions to the number of cats and dogs in country residential areas.

The bylaw has been more than a year in the making. Staff began working on it in January 2011.

While work on the bylaw has continued, Coun. Ranj Pillai said of the newest rewrite: "This is a starting point.”

Provided council passes first reading of the rewritten bylaw next week, there will be a significant public input period.

That process will include a link on the city's website, an open house meeting on June 7 and a public hearing on June 25, Ellis said to questioning by Mayor Bev Buckway.

A report on the public input will come to council on July 3, with second and third readings of the bylaw proposed for July 9.

"Following a recent public comment period, the city is also proposing updates to its Building and Plumbing Bylaw,” Shannon Clohosey, the city's Sustainability Projects manager, said today.

"If adopted, these edits could see a reduction in greenhouse gases emitted and energy costs from new homeowners.

"We'd like to thank everyone who participated in our recent Building and Plumbing Bylaw consultation, as your input helped us move forward,” Clohosey added.

Recommended changes to the Building and Plumbing Bylaw, include:

• more information provided on information stickers placed on new homes, enabling homeowners to compare the energy efficiency of new construction;

• increase the energy rating that houses have to meet when using the Energuide system from 80 to 82; and

• boosting the R value of windows installed in new homes.

The proposed changes to the Zoning Bylaw and Building and Plumbing Bylaw could provide more housing opportunities and further improve the quality of construction in Whitehorse, Mike Gau, the city's Planning and Development Services manager, said today.

"After an extensive Official Community Plan review process and consultation on Zoning Bylaw amendments, the city is bringing forward its final proposed zoning amendments,” said Gau.

"These changes are in-line with the city's growth strategy and are designed to increase the number of sustainable development options in our community.”