Whitehorse city council eyes pockets of undeveloped urban land for new housing
CBC
Whitehorse city council is considering a proposal to study 14 lots throughout the city for housing development.
The lots — owned by either the Yukon government or the city — range in size from 1,100 square metres to more than five hectares.
In a report to council, city staff say the lots are needed to help meet housing demand that is already outpacing projections issued four years ago in the city's official community plan.
The 2022 plan forecasted Whitehorse would need more than 6,100 units by 2040 just to keep pace with demand. But a housing needs assessment issued earlier this year puts the figure at more than 10,000 units.
Mélodie Simard, the city's planning manager, told councillors Monday the city has between four and seven years' worth of lots left. Larger developments could increase that supply but take a long time to bring to market, she said.
"Initiating a portfolio of small and medium-scale infill keeps options open and reduces reliance on large, longer-lead growth areas," Simard said.
The lots in question are scattered throughout existing neighbourhoods. The staff report suggests they could accommodate more than 900 units in total, though the report cautions some parcels could be screened out for various reasons.
Several of the parcels contain greenspace, outdoor rinks and playgrounds, though city staff said recreation facilities could be moved.
Still, city councillors anticipated public blowback from potentially rezoning greenspace for new development.
But Coun. Dan Boyd said infill development, which takes advantage of existing infrastructure instead of building new subdivisions from scratch, is vital if the city wants to reduce the housing shortage.
"If we choke the supply, we can't bring down the cost, nor can we attract development, nor can people afford to move here, nor can we fill positions and stuff like that," he said.
Coun. Lenore Morris said the small, scattered properties are the result of past poor planning decisions.
"I get that people get very attached to some of that land, but these aren't gated communities, and we are allowed to squeeze in a few more people," said Morris. "And I think we need to. We have this big growing population, and we've got a shortage of developable land."
If council approves the project, the city will spend $300,000 to determine whether it's feasible to build on the city-owned lots. A tender for the project would be issued in April.
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