Twin Pine Hill trail decision to be up to next city council
Network on newly developed area 'closer,' says one city councillor
Evan Kiyoshi French
Northern News Services
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The future of a trail network on Twin Pine Hill will be decided by the next city council.
Condo units are under construction on Twin Pine Hill, as seen from the air last week. Some residents are upset that a plan to build a recreational trail on the site - a request years on the table - hasn't been finalized yet. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo |
Over the past few weeks, councillors have been flooded with e-mails from residents angry that construction has begun for a condominium-build on the land before work on a trail network has begun but ultimately the decision to build a trail on the site - with $500,000 of city and developer funds set aside for such a project - will be decided by the next city council.
"There could have been a trail in there two years ago when staff came to us with a plan," said Coun. Dan Wong.
The majority of councillors did not support the plan at the time, he said, and so the promised trail network never materialized. A hotel and convention centre were tabled as possible developments, but since none of those ever won approval, the trail network never got built. Now, the developer has blasted and begun construction at the site, with a firm plan to build condominiums, and alarmed trail-supporters have been clogging council's accounts.
"Because of that, I think the reality of a trail on Twin Pine Hill is closer," said Wong. "That's going to be up to the next city council. I know that staff has committed to (engaging) folks on what a trail would look like in a plan in the fall. Myself and many others will be waiting and watching and willing to take part in the design."
City spokesperson Nalini Naidoo said no public consultation sessions have been penciled into the city calendar so far, but staff intend to ask residents what they think should be built - a process that could include focus groups - following the fall election.
"Right now, for a lot of our projects we're asking the question, 'Do we bring this forward now or do we bring this forward after the election?'" she said.
Jamie Bastedo - a naturalist whose guest column, ("Twin Pine promise should be kept," Aug. 5) appeared in Yellowknifer - said he is glad council appears to have listened to the demands.
"It's interesting, the power of the pen. Council has been receptive to public pressure and interest this time of year and that was definitely part of our plan," he said, adding council ought to have gone ahead with building the trails two years ago.
"I think it was unwise," he said, adding that when the Niven Lake community was built, the trail was built first.
"The trail came first, and then the development around it. To me that was a very prudent way of doing it. The most sensitive parts of Niven Lake have been protected because of that trail. To put a trail in after development makes it more complicated and politically charged."
Bastedo said he'll believe it's going to happen when he sees the shovel hitting the turf.
"I'm disappointed in council, in putting the private interest first ... and sort of pushing the public interest aside," he said. "It is a magnificent bedrock. I'm not a condo-basher. I may live in one someday, but lets look at that site. It's the best view in Yellowknife of Yellowknife Bay."
Coun. Cory Vanthuyne said there's no need for the public to be upset about the project because a trail will be built.
"There always has been a firm plan to put something there. The details of the design are not finalized," he said. "There is no development ... that gets away with no trail systems or parks or nature space. Our general plan states that's an absolute."
Vanthuyne said the condos need to go in first, then a trail can be planned.
"It makes sense that once you understand what the development is and ... where it'll be specifically positioned on the property, then you can do your design of a trail."
How do councillors feel about building a trail network on Twin Pine Hill?
Cory Vanthuyne:
There's no need to worry, he said, there's always been a plan to build a trail.
Dan Wong:
Because residents hounded councillors about the lack of a plan, it's now more likely.
Adrian Bell:
In favour of having a path built but not in favour of spending the whole half-million on it.
Rebecca Alty:
In favour of a conservative trail.
Niels Konge:
Said he's sure some kind of path will be built on the site after the condominiums are built.
Linda Bussey:
In favour of having trails built.
Phil Moon Son:
Abstained from discussion, citing a conflict of interest.
