Members of the public will have a chance to express their views on the Ice Lake Road South (ILRS) Master Plan.
During Monday’s council meeting, city administration asked council to schedule a public input session for the master plan. That has now been set for Sept. 9.
The plan is meant to create a new industrial/commercial subdivision in the Ice Lake area, at a size of 13.6 ha, with capacity for approximately 21 lots. Access to the area would be at the weigh station on the Alaska Highway north of Robert Service Way.
Work on the plan began in May 2023, as the city brought in a consultant who helped administration develop it.
Some concerns were raised before council’s development review committee on June 5. It was noted that the challenging topography could compromise the water supply. Further hydrogeology studies, including a groundwater assessment, are suggested, and those comments have been mentioned in the plan.
Mayor Laura Cabott has raised concerns around an industrial area beside the Alaska Highway potentially affecting visitors’ impressions of how the city would look.
She wondered whether a buffer, or a requirement to provide something that could ensure a more pleasing view, has been mentioned in the plan.
Mathieu Marois, the city’s senior planner, is not sure whether there would be a buffer, but added a regulation on the landscaping has been included in the plan that would help with the visual impact. And, a regulation can also be included during the later zoning phase of the project, he noted.
Coun. Ted Laking touched on the questions about the timeline and who will be responsible for the studies mentioned in the plan.
In reply, Marois said the developer will be preparing the studies. More studies can be required following the plan’s approval.
Administration still has no answer on how the project would affect the area’s trail users, but will get back to the council once they find out.
Safety concerns were raised by Deputy Mayor Kirk Cameron.
“There will be direct transit connecting to the Alaska Highway; that’s now 21 lots with a direct line of connection to the Alaska Highway, which could present quite the safety issue,” said Cameron.
Marois said the 21 lots would have their internal road, and would only need one access connecting to the Alaska Highway.
