SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - After a 181-signature petition and 20 letters to the city from residents concerned about a proposed bylaw allowing for more housing units to be built in Bartesko Court, the matter was defeated by a unanimous vote at a city council meeting on Tuesday.

Stacey Wilk was concerned that an apartment building might have gone up in the green space behind her house in the Bartesko Court area. She said she is "very pleased" that the bylaw was defeated on Tuesday. - Alyssa Smith/NNSL photo

It was made clear during the meeting all residents who contacted council were opposed to the bylaw, with the exception of one person who said they were opposed but would change their mind if certain amendments were made.

Residents who attended the public hearing left smiling, shaking hands and giving each other high fives after the vote.

According to statements made at the public hearing and letters to council, area residents were concerned that if the density cap for Bartesko Court was removed, green space would be lost, the area would not be able to handle increased traffic volumes, and their property values would be negatively impacted.

Stacey Wilk, who's home backs onto the greenspace area in Bartesko Court, says she is very pleased with the outcome.

Wilk was one of two residents of the Bartesko Court area who spoke against the proposed rezoning bylaw at the public hearing Tuesday.

She told Yellowknifer she thinks the results can be directly linked to the work residents did to let council know how they felt.

"I think if it wasn't for us, they (council) wouldn't have had a reason to not rezone it," she said.

Wilk told council in an e-mail anyone who thinks their property value would not be affected by a new apartment complex is "absolutely dreaming."

Wilk said the developer did not provide residents with any details of what sort of housing could be built in the area if the density cap was changed, but she speculated it would be an apartment building.

"No one wants an apartment building in their backyard," she said at the public hearing.

One apartment building was built in the area after the zoning for the area was changed from one-family residential to medium density housing, which allowed for the construction of a 36-unit apartment building. For residents like Jay Giachine, one apartment building is enough.

He told council to build another apartment building on the area's green space would mean single family homes in the area would lose privacy in their backyards, which back onto the green space.

The request to rezone the area was submitted by TC Enterprises; the same developer that built Bartesko's existing apartment complex.

A representative from TC Enterprises was not present at the public hearing.

TC Enterprises declined comment when asked why no representative was present at the hearing.

Some council members expressed concern about the developer's absence, and it was speculated had TC Enterprises made more of an effort to have an open line of communication with residents, the results may have been different.

Before voting, city councillor Mark Heyck commented the lack of clarity from TC Enterprises about the type of intended development made it difficult to make an informed decision.

"It's left up to people's imaginations to dream of what's to come if the rezoning passes," he said.

Coun. David Wind said he was concerned the bylaw would overcrowd the area.

"I find it curious that in a part of Canada where we have nothing but open space, we're busy trying to find more ways to fit more people on a 1.2 hectare piece of land," he said.

Coun. Lydia Bardak suggested in the future developers might educate themselves about a program called "Yes, In my Backyard," a workbook put out by Toronto's Homecoming Community Choice Coalition. The program teaches developers how to reach out to the community and inform and educate residents about proposed changes through an open dialogue with the goal of getting the community on-side.

This is the fifth time issues regarding a change in zoning in Bartesko Court have come before council since 1997.

Coun. Shelagh Montgomery suggested if the public is concerned about loss of green space in the future, and land is owned privately, they should consider getting together with their neighbours and buying the lot.

Coun. Bob Brooks was absent for the vote.