SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - What does Yellowknife need more, affordable housing or ready access to the natural world? This was the primary area of contention at Monday night public hearing on the future of Tin Can Hill.

Adrian Bell asked that any decisions relating to Tin Can Hill's future development be halted until the results of the Smart Growth workshops are in. - Charlotte Hilling/NNSL photo

The proposed by-law, no. 4527, is an amendment to the 2004 General Plan requesting Tin Can Hill to be protected as a green space. The area is currently classified as for immediate future residential development.

Proponents from both sides of the argument spoke at the meeting, and despite pleas from Councillors' Lydia Bardak, Mark Heyck, and Kevin Kennedy to have a second reading of the by-law that night, Councillors' David McCann, David Wind, and Paul Falvo voted against it.

The issue was tied so Mayor Van Tighem deduced a second reading would be held at the next council meeting on Sept. 14. Speaking in opposition to the by-law, Charles Dent said developing Tin Can Hill is the most economically viable development option, as it is close to existing water and sewage infrastructure.

He said addressing Yellowknife's high cost of housing is a more urgent matter than green space.

"I believe the city should try to do something to bring down the costs of living in Yellowknife... I think affordable housing is more important to the future of Yellowknife," he said.

"I don't believe there is another area that can be developed as economically."

Adrian Bell, a committee member of Smart Growth, spoke as an individual about his concern that a decision was being rushed. Smart Growth has conducted a series of workshops, exercises, and surveys relating to the development of Tin Can Hill – the results of which Bell said will be available in two months – and he thinks making a decision on the matter before the results are in would be premature.

"I have to remind you that this is a consultation that you all undertook as city councillors. It's a consultation that our tax dollars paid for," he told councillors.

"I have to emphasize that if you now go ahead with this vote you're basically saying that all of this was wasted time. That in fact, the Smart Growth process is a bit of a sham and that this council is not open to its conclusions."

Others who were against the by-law expressed concern of urban sprawl, and being forced to develop areas further out of town if Tin Can Hill could not be developed.

Of those who spoke in support of the by-law, ready access to the natural world – and by extension, peace of mind – was highlighted as essential to making Yellowknife an attractive place to live.

Supporters, such as former city councillor Ben McDonald, questioned the usefulness of the upcoming Smart Growth report, saying only privileged people would be able to take off the five days required to take part, thus skewing the results toward development interests.

He questioned the assertion, made by several of those in support of development, that development of the parcel of land would limit urban sprawl.

"Tin Can Hill is still sprawl. It's still virgin land, it's green space that's being consumed," said McDonald. Karen Taggart was not willing to entertain Coun. David Wind's suggestion that Tin Can Hill be developed while maintaining green spaces throughout.

"We need that large area," she said.

Taggart went on to say that many of the world's most iconic cities have large green spaces where the urbanized citizens can escape the concrete jungle and enjoy a greener alternative.

Resident Shannon Ripley said denser downtown development would be a more economically efficient option to Yellowknife's housing problems.

"I believe that promoting a more dense housing development within Yellowknife's core is an integral part of creating a vibrant, healthy and sustainable community," said Ripley.

She added "it's really important to make sure that the people living in more dense housing developments also have access to the natural world and recreational opportunities."

After about two hours of submissions Mayor Gord Van Tighem reminded both sides that the matter should not become an issue of affordable housing versus green space, as if set aside for development, Tin Can Hill could be used for a number of community facilities – not just housing.