Newsletter 3: April 2, 2024

An apology

Earlier today you received an email directing you to a newsletter post. The link provided was faulty. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Neighbourhood engagement report

Thank you to everyone who participated in our neighbourhood engagement, either by attending a meeting or completing our survey. Your input helped the board of directors determine the association’s direction.

The results of the engagement show two top priorities:

1. Protection of our green space including the McIntyre Creek green space; and

2. Traffic issues along Range Road including safety, volume, congestion, speed and a lack of active transportation routes.

Based on these results, we now will focus our efforts on on the following projects/issues:

• Establishment of McIntyre Creek Park The proposed boundaries fail to fully protect the creek’s watershed and may facilitate the establishment of roads through the green space closest to Takhini residents.

• Whitehorse Elementary School’s relocation to Takhini This will increase traffic on Range Road, may impact green space and may necessitate the establishment of a new road through valuable green space.

• Range Road traffic and active transportation Motor vehicle traffic on Range Road poses safety risks to Takhini residents and inhibits adoption of active transportation.

• Alaska Highway expansion Noise from traffic and safe access to recreational areas need to be considered in the planning process.

You can find the full Takhini Neighbourhood Engagement Report on our website.

Winner of neighbourhood engagement gift card

Congratulations to Yvette Berquist as the randomly selected winner of a $20 Local gift card. Yvette, we’ll reach out to you by email to deliver your prize.

Whitehorse Elementary School relocation update

A representative of the Takhini Neighbourhood Association with other stakeholders attended a meeting hosted by the Department of Education to review options for the placement of Whitehorse Elementary School within the Takhini Elementary reserve at the corner of Range Road and University Drive.

Two options were presented:

1. Replace the softball diamonds beside Takhini Elementary School with Whitehorse Elementary School. It was implied at the meeting that the softball diamonds could be replaced on the other side of Range Road.

2. Remove the green space immediately adjacent to the Evergreen condominium complex (behind Takhini Elementary School) and replace it with the new Whitehorse Elementary School.

Considering that participants in the Takhini neighbourhood engagement made it clear that retaining green space was the priority, the association takes the position that the option to remove green space beside the Evergreen condominium complex is not acceptable. That green space must be retained to ensure the quality of life and property values for Takhini residents. Residents depend on and enjoy the green space daily whereas softball players only spend a few evenings per week during a brief 4-month seasonal window on the softball fields. Residents’ needs should be prioritized in this decision-making process.

The Association has written a letter to the Minister of Education, Jeanie McLean, and Minister of Highways and Public Works, Nils Clarke, to state that the first option is preferred. In the letter we also point out that this decision is premature in light of the fact that the government has not yet analyzed the impacts of the additional traffic that the relocated school will bring to Range Road.

We encourage residents with views on the placement of Whitehorse Elementary School and the related increase in traffic on Range Road to contact the appropriate government ministers.

Minister of Education, Jeanie McLean

Email: jeanie.mclean@yukon.ca

Phone: 867-393-7401

Minister of Highways and Public Works, Nils Clarke

Email: nils.clarke@yukon.ca

Phone: 867-333-1007

Update on Range Road/Alaska Highway intersection

The City of Whitehorse and Government of Yukon are partnering on the HART: Combined Intersection Upgrades project. This is to improve the Range Road/Alaska Highway intersection/Hamilton Boulevard intersection. An online survey is available until April 19.

Cleanup of McIntyre Creek

There will be a clean-up of McIntyre Creek on May 27-31, 2024. Contact Steve at the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board at communications@yfwmb.ca or (867) 393-6942 for more information.

Zoning bylaw amendments

On February 26, 2024, City Council gave first reading to a bylaw to amend the Zoning Bylaw that, if adopted, will enable more housing to be developed throughout Whitehorse. The proposed amendments include:

1. Allow up to four (4) units per lot in all urban ‘single detached’ residential zones;

2. Relax site coverage and setbacks in some zones where additional units are provided;

3. Relax living and garden suite regulations to allow them in more places:

   1. Allow suites in RR zone

   2. Allow suites in duplex, triplex, and townhouse housing

   3. Allow two suites on any lot where suites are allowed

4. Enable more units in RCM – Comprehensive Residential Multiple Family and RCM3 – Cottage Cluster Homes zones; and

5. Relax some parking regulations:

   1. Eliminate visitor parking and loading space requirements for multiple housing in commercial zones

   2. Reduce parking requirements for living/garden suites

The next step is for city staff to present a Public Hearing Report to Council on April 15, 2024.For additional details on what these proposed amendments mean, please review the Guide to Proposed Changes.

FireSmart presentation

The Wildfire Awareness Society has offered to make a presentation to Takhini residents about FireSmarting residential property. If you are interested in attending, please send an email to info@wildfireawareness.org.