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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - City council called a special meeting last Friday to vote on changing the pedestrian-friendly development requirements in the latest phase of Niven Lake after developers expressed frustration at the limitations.

"The R7 zone of Niven Lake (which includes Moyle Drive and Stirling Court) was designed to be for smaller lots, smaller houses, more pedestrian-friendly, no real need for a reliance on automobiles, so there were certain restrictions put in place to ensure that that occurred," said Mayor Gord Van Tighem.

"The whole point was to avoid what became a trend in three- and four onward-storey (homes) that were looming over their neighbour and over the neighbourhood."

Van Tighem said there are 25 lots left to be sold in the area and there has been interest, but many developers have been told they can't build in the lots because designs don't comply with the regulations.

He said the bylaw only allows for certain modular homes of a specific size and without a garage that sticks out beyond the front door of the home.

"If the ones that did comply were all built, that's only one for every six lots," said Van Tighem.

He said after the restrictions were in place to ensure houses weren't too high and garages didn't stick out too far, "then when we got out into the marketplace and found there aren't really any houses that fit that.

"They definitely have to relax the rule that your garage can't stick out past your front entryway,"

Gerry Borschneck, owner of local home building company Premium Homes Ltd., said the restriction "makes no sense" because it eliminates 90 per cent of the house plans.

Borschneck said he has one or two clients who have purchased lots in the area and are hoping to build soon.

There are "a lot of restrictions. All people want is a good three-bedroom, basic home," he said, adding big houses are not popular right now. Currently what's driving the housing market are smaller family homes.

"Simpler is best," said Borschneck.

"I see this more as growing pains and trying to work out the bugs," said city councillor Bob Brooks during last Friday's meeting.

Brooks supported the motion to amend the development requirements, along with councillors Mark Heyck and Shelagh Montgomery. The motion was opposed by councillors Paul Falvo and David Wind, while councillors Lydia Bardak, Kevin Kennedy and Dave McCann were not in attendance.

The next step is a public hearing, which will be an opportunity to hear from developers about plans for building on those lots or from people who have purchased a lot.

"If there is no negative comment, we can move on to the second reading of the bylaw at which time council has the opportunity to debate or seek further clarification or potentially make amendments," said Van Tighem.

"If they make amendments then there's another public hearing. Eventually once second reading carries, the GNWT gets to sign off on it and people can start building houses."