Yellowknife (May 17/06) - City council got its first taste of what the city's re-vamped zoning bylaw may look like, Monday.

Kevin O'Reilly, co-chair of the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee, said a number of changes to the zoning bylaw are due, including a clause that would trigger an automatic review by council of all proposed subdivisions and condominiums.

There would also be a requirement that developers hire a landscape consultant before developing previously undeveloped lots for residential or public service use.

O'Reilly said the city should update its list of requirements development permits.

"We didn't want to capture someone who wanted to put a garden in," said O'Reilly.

Giant townsite a United Nations park?

A climbing wall, mining museum, and even a United Nations world heritage geology park are some of the proposals outlined in a draft plan for the Giant Mine townsite.

Dillon Consulting's Nalini Naidoo presented the plan to city council during a committee meeting, Monday.

While the plan doesn't recommend any residential or commercial development until 2019, Naidoo said there is public support to promote the site's mining heritage as a tourism destination. The city acquired a 30-year lease for the townsite in lieu of taxes owed from the mine's former owner, Royal Oak, in 2000. About 20 homes are still standing although few people still reside there.

Dillon recommends the shore be re-zoned for public recreation, and at least four mine buildings be saved for a future heritage site and museum.

Due to the ancient geology of the area, Naidoo said the city should pursue a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designation as a geo-park.

The proposal for a climbing wall on a rocky bluff overlooking the townsite seemed fitting "just using the natural contours of the site," said Naidoo.

A clean shave

There is one less councillor sporting facial hair these days.

Coun. Alan Woytuik showed up for the May 8 regular council meeting without his familiar moustache. He's worn one the entire seven years he has been on council.

He said felt like he just needed a change. His seating partner Doug Witty shaved his facial hair recently as well. O'Reilly is the only councillor still wearing some whiskers.