Yellowknife (Oct 11/06) - The City of Yellowknife is looking into a plan that could see 203 residential units built near Niven Lake, including detached homes, row houses and low rise apartments.

According to the most recent City of Yellowknife proposal, presented at a public meeting last week, the so-called "phase seven" lots would cost $80,000 in what has become the capital's most exclusive neighbourhood.

But while the blasting to remove rock continues at the Niven Lake area, nothing in the city's phase seven is carved in stone, said Ben Pitch, a planner with the city.

"This is all conceptual, that's why we're consulting," he said. The municipality has distributed a questionnaire asking residents what they would like to see happen in the area.

One concern at the public forum was maintaining existing cross-country ski trails in close proximity to phase eight, located north of where phase seven would be built.

"We've had consultations with (the ski club) and are working towards a common solution," said Pitch.

"We recognize the importance of the trail to them and the community at large."

A recent residential marketing study conducted on behalf of the city reported that Niven Lake's average $357,000 home price made it the most expensive place to buy a new home.