Kennels considered in Kam Lake
Industry would be stunted if not allowed in mixed-use area, says city councillor
Elaine Anselmi
Northern News Services
Friday, February 20, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Kennel owners hoping to set up shop in Kam Lake may be out of luck if a city bylaw on the table gets approved.
Council is set to vote on a number of changes to zoning in the neighbourhood on Monday, including whether or not new kennels should be allowed in the area, but at least one councillor says he cannot support the bylaw, using a favourite breakfast food to illustrate his point.
"I was thinking about this while eating my bacon on a Sunday, 'Man, this bacon tastes good but nobody wants to live beside a pig farm,'" said Konge, who also lives and works in Kam Lake.
"Same with kennels. Everybody likes when friends come up and they want to take them for a dogsled ride ... people have dogs and want to go on holidays, that's great but they need someone to look after their dog: that's kennels."
The idea is that new kennels would open operations in the developing Engle Business District and those already in Kam Lake will be grandfathered in.
The problem, Konge said, is that unlike in Kam Lake, caretaker suites (or worker's accommodations) are not allowed in Engle, but are a necessity at kennels.
Coun. Dan Wong, who is in favour of the changes, suggested staff could look into the possibility of making those zoning amendments to allow kennels to develop in the area.
"I enjoy bacon as much as the next bacon-lover, but I don't see hog farms near areas of cities that are seeing rapid residential growth," said Wong, referring to Kam Lake.
Jeff Humble, director of planning and development, confirmed council could amend the zoning bylaw for just that. He added the city has not received any new kennel applications in at least five years.
From public feedback gathered on the issue, 59 per cent of Kam Lake residents were in favour of removing kennels from permitted uses, citing noise, smell and the environmental impact as reasons. In particular, a public open house saw 95 per cent support for removing kennels as a permitted use.
Peter Curran is one of those residents.
"Future kennel development in Kam Lake is no longer appropriate or sustainable," said Curran.
"The effort being made to ensure compatibility of uses and to stimulate positive growth in and around Kam Lake begins and ends with the removal of kennels as a conditionally-permitted use."
None of this is new to Grant Beck, owner of Beck's Kennels in Kam Lake.
"I started in Old Town ... then they decided they were going to beautify Old Town. We moved to Niven Lake, then they decided to beautify Niven Lake, then they said, well, Kam Lake will be permitted residential so you can have caretakers and dogs. I'm okay for now but the poor guys coming in," said Beck.
"You talk about eco-tourism and the future of Yellowknife, we're bringing them a lot of people right now; hotels are full because of Beck's Kennels. I can give the numbers to prove it."
Konge moved to strike kennels from the list of unlawful land-uses.
The motion was seconded by Coun. Linda Bussey but did not receive support of other councillors.
The bylaw will be given a first reading at the Monday council meeting before going to public consultation in the following weeks.
