Where and how the city should grow post-Whistle Bend is coming under intensive study.
Residential development feasibility studies are underway for the Whitehorse North and South Growth Areas, it was announced July 9.
The Yukon government, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the City of Whitehorse are conducting feasibility work to evaluate the potential for residential development in the North and South Growth Areas.
These regions, identified in the City of Whitehorse’s Official Community Plan, include Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council settlement lands and vacant Yukon government land.
The South Growth study area is 898 hectares in size, while the North Growth area is 1,123 hectares in size.
The work follows a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in December 2023 between Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, the City of Whitehorse and the Government of Yukon. This MOU outlines collaboration among the four entities to study the physical, cultural and economic feasibility of new residential neighbourhoods in Whitehorse.
The studies being conducted include:
- A Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Land Use Study to capture tangible and non-tangible heritage values in both areas.
- A geophysical survey to identify shallow bedrock. Bedrock can have implications on how and where roads, services and homes are built.
- Wildlife camera and track surveys for the North Growth Area to understand how wildlife use the area, especially woodland caribou.
- A rare plant and fish habitat survey.
- Servicing and transportation assessments to see how areas could be connected and serviced with the rest of the city.
Both areas will be studied, but the South Growth Area is identified in the OCP as the priority for development. It’s located south of the Copper Ridge neighbourhood toward McLean Lake.
These assessments benefit Yukoners by exploring options for lot development to support Whitehorse’s growth, the four parties said in a statement.
“This feasibility study, founded in partnership, recognizes the spirit of co-operation that is needed to support Yukoners as our territory grows,” said Premier Ranj Pillai.
“It is important to our government to address economic development with reconciliation and environmental protection as top priority. This is the first of many steps to come for this project to help deliver the housing Yukoners need.”
As the city grows, said Ta’an Council Chief Kwäch’än Amanda Leas, “working in collaboration with our local governments is important for our growth and expansion to be carefully planned so that all Yukoners can prosper.
“TKC will work to ensure that Whitehorse grows in a good way for the benefit of our people and the greater Whitehorse community and for future generations.”
Mayor Laura Cabott said the city “is pleased to be working together with our First Nations partners and the territorial government to conduct this important work. Whitehorse is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in Canada. Proper planning with our partners will ensure we can accommodate further population growth in a sustainable way.”
