SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Council deferred second reading of a zoning bylaw March 28, asking administration for more information after hearing a presentation by a resident who was worried the changed bylaw would lead to flooding in the city.

Administration has recommended that uncovered terraces, porches and decks be removed from the definition of site coverage.

Concerned resident Carl Ozyer told council Monday that administration needs to reconsider the amendment.

"We have our zoning bylaws in place for a reason," he said, suggesting that if the city is to remove uncovered structures from its definition of site coverage then less rainwater and snow melt will soak into the ground, potentially leading to runoff and flooding.

"If someone were to basically cover their whole property with a deck or combination of decks and terraces and then a couple of parking spaces it would effectively lead to a site coverage of 80.7 per cent under the proposed amendment," he said, while pointing to an illustration he handed out to the councillors.

Currently, the allowable site coverage ranges between 35 and 40 per cent.

After hearing Ozyer's presentation, city councillor Shelagh Montgomery asked that second reading of the bylaw amendments be deferred so administration can prepare a summation of Ozyer's points, including answers to all of his questions.

Couns. Paul Falvo, Amanda Mallon, Lydia Bardak and Bob Brooks were in favour of the deferral, while Cory Vanthuyne was opposed. Couns. Mark Heyck and David Wind were absent.

Lease not buy

Rita Chamberlain from Ron's Auto Services on Kam Lake Road asked the city to allow the business to lease a piece of land for staff parking at the Municipal Services Committee meeting March 28.

Having been under the impression the business wanted to purchase the land, administration recommended council refuse the request because the land is highlighted for future transportation improvements in the city's Smart Growth Development Plan.

"We never asked to purchase the land," Chamberlain told committee. "We only wanted to lease it."

City councillor Bob Brooks asked administration if leasing the land until improvements are scheduled to start - about five years from now - is an option.

Jeff Humble, director of planning and lands, said as long as it's a short-term lease, between three and five years, and the business doesn't plan to build new infrastructure on the land, it is a possibility.

After hearing that Ron's Auto Services is only planning to use the land for parking and is willing to sign a short-term lease, Coun. Paul Falvo said he wouldn't want to stand in the way of a growing local business.

Coun. Shelagh Montgomery was also in favour of a short-term lease, but suggested that because a precedent is being set with Ron's, administration will have to enter into leases with other businesses in the area using the encroachment.

"I think that in fairness we'll be granting similar options to other folks along the corridor," said Humble.

Closed-door meetings rare: Mayor

Council met on Wednesday afternoon for a special council meeting that was closed to the public.

The meeting was to discuss a financial matter, said Mayor Gord Van Tighem, who added it's fairly uncommon to have in-camera meetings.

"Compared to any other council in Canada, you find anyone who goes in-camera less than us and I'd be amazed," he said.

"But when it does happen it's because it's something that is related to something that we can't have in public yet, like a financial matter or a land matter or a legal matter or a personnel matter," said the mayor.

When asked when residents would find out what happened in the meeting, he said, "Good question - probably before summer."

According to the Cities, Towns and Villages Act, which regulates council proceedings, council can have in-camera council meetings to make a resolution or bylaw to give instructions to the city's lawyers or to anyone negotiating a contract on behalf of the city. It can also give directions to staff on confidential personnel issues.

If city council is to vote on a matter, however, it must be in the public eye, said Van Tighem.

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