Yellowknife (May 07/04) - City council is currently looking at a proposal that may limit the number of retail stores and parking spaces for residents living downtown.

Bob Wilson

Bob Wilson, chair of the downtown enhancement committee, appeared before council Monday to outline a number of proposed amendments to what is currently known as the "Central Commercial Zone."

One possible change includes splitting downtown into a central commercial district -- confined mostly to within one block on either side of Franklin Ave. -- and another zone on its on periphery called "Centre town," with an emphasis on maximizing residential development.

Centre town would reach from 51st to 52nd Avenue and from 46th to 43rd Street.

If council accepts the proposal, Centre town will still be available for commercial use, but permission would be required from City Hall.

"It's just saying we're really recommending looking at residential (use) for this area," said Wilson.

Another of the committee's proposals is to limit the number of parking stalls for multi-family dwellings, built in the central commercial area in the future, from one stall per unit to one for every two.

Parking stalls for existing housing blocks downtown would be grandfathered.

The limited parking is something developers are recommending, considering the limited space to build downtown, said Wilson.

"If they can sell those units, it means they can put more units on the same footprint and make more money," said Wilson.

The local businessman originally didn't like the idea, but has since come to believe limiting parking stalls won't be too onerous on downtown residents, considering the number of amenities close by.

"I think of the cars I see driving and it's like a full-metal parka," said Wilson.

"People are using their cars as if they were travelling apartment buildings."

Most councillors at the Monday meeting appeared to support the proposals, but Coun. Doug Witty said he is leery about both limiting commercial development and the number of parking stalls.

"It's a tough one," said Witty "It seems like we'll be making it worse by doing it this way."

A public review of the committee's proposals will likely occur sometime this spring.