Yellowknife (July 26/06) - City councillors appear to be leaning towards re-zoning a nature preserve south of Hordal Road to make room for more modular homes.

"Let's get on with (rezoning) it," urged Coun. Alan Woytuik during a Municipal Services Committee meeting last week.

"It's our duty to ensure there's land available for development. There's a need for (residential) lots as currently there aren't any in town (and) the location is perfect as its adjacent to existing... housing."

Woytuik was responding to Coun. Mark Heyck's opposition to the bylaw amendment until the city's "environmental inventory" was complete. Other councillors in favour of rezoning included Wendy Bisaro and Doug Witty, the latter criticizing the city for dragging its feet on the issue.

"It sounds like were planning ways to not get anything done again," he said.

Of those firmly in the rezoning camp, the debate moved to how many modular home lots would be created. Currently, there are three plans: the first creating eight new lots, the second 23 and a 30 lot option.

"Eight won't cut it but if you can get it up to around 20, that would be reasonable," suggested Woytuik, who along with Bisaro believed 30 new lots were excessive.

The Municipal Services Committee has since referred the matter back to administration which will either present a bylaw back to the committee for further discussion or to council for a first reading.

After the first reading in council, the matter will be put to a public consultation, according the city clerk Debbie Euchner.