City seeks more Twin Pine trail input
Consultation continues as plan for new hotel at base of hill moves forward
Shane Magee
Northern News Services
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The City of Yellowknife is again seeking input on trail development around and on top of Twin Pine Hill.
A map shows potential trail entry options for Twin Pine Hill, included in the city's survey on the issue. - map courtesy of City of Yellowknife
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Residents with thoughts on what the proposed trail network between downtown and Old Town should look like can fill out a survey on the city's website until June 15. The responses will be used along with input gathered on walking tours of the site held this winter, according to a city notice about the survey.
"The hill has a long history of recreational uses that the city is trying to incorporate as we grow residential uses in our downtown," Mayor Mark Heyck wrote in a statement about the consultation. "We look forward to hearing your ideas as we move this project forward."
"It's our trail, it's Yellowknife's trail. Good for them for reopening input," said Jamie Bastedo, a member of the Friends of Twin Pine Hill group who has spoken frequently on protecting the hill and getting input from people.
The trick now, he said, is taking the input and turning it into a plan that incorporates the perspectives given.
Like the McMahon Frame Lake Trail, he said the Twin Pine trail will be a legacy project for the city.
"The Twin Pine trail must be built with the same commitment and spirit in mind because it's a jaw-dropper up there," he said, adding it can be a tourist draw for the city.
The city's plans mainly include adding entrance points to the hill - such as stairways to make access to existing rough trails easier to reach. The short survey asks about these access points and potential designs for a lookout at the summit near the condos.
Half of the $500,000 funding for any trail work comes from the city, with the other half from the developer of the condos at the top of the hill.
The property is owned by Det'on Cho Corporation.
So far, only some of the planned 21 condo buildings have been constructed. Council was told by the developer last year that construction would happen at a pace to meet demand.
New hotel on the way
This consultation takes place as a separate developer works toward building a 31-room hotel along the base of Twin Pine Hill.
Nova Builders Inc., helmed by controversial builder Mike Mrdjenovich, is behind the project along Franklin Avenue, northeast of the Arnica Inn.
The company offered to contribute $15,000 to the hill's trail network fund as part of the hotel work.
During earlier public consultations about the hotel, concerns were expressed about whether the hill's bedrock would be blasted (it won't), the look of the exterior (the city doesn't have design standards to govern that issue), the types of plants that will be used for landscaping (hardy trees and shrubs will be used) and parking overflow (there will be 19 spots on site).
The lot's zoning gives the hotel conditionally permitted use, meaning it goes to council for review before the development permit process is completed.
A city staff report prepared for a municipal services committee meeting in May stated the property was formerly an industrial site but has been cleaned up and deemed suitable for the hotel.
"In addition to utilizing a former brownfield site the proposed use will enhance tourism and revitalization of both the downtown and Old Town," the report states.
Councillors at the meeting recommended moving the development forward to council for approval. It could be considered at the next council meeting set for June 13.
