The city has proposed changing a zoning bylaw so it can permit five multiSA国际影视传媒恥nit lots along Gitzel and Matonabee streets.

Right now, it's designated for parks and recreation, but the city wants to change it into what it calls a residential intensification zone. 

During a Governance and Priorities Committee meeting on Tuesday at city hall, a number of city councillors voiced their enthusiasm for the city's proposal, as well as asking some questions they wanted sorted out first.

Acting Mayor Ben Hendriksen said he'd be in general support of this proposal and asked about whether the public safety team had any concerns about it.

City manager Stephen Van Dine said no major issues have been raised to date.

Hendriksen also inquired about placing more emphasis on adding housing options in the downtown core SA国际影视传媒� a concern that was frequently raised by residents when they learned about the new proposal as well.

Only one per cent of land in Yellowknife is available for new development, which has forced the municipality to get creative when it comes to adding housing and opting for denser housing choices. 

In response, it has created a new intensification strategy, which aims to increase housing opportunities. According to the city, this amendment would fall in line with this new strategy. Current zoning regulations on these streets do not permit such development, however. 

In its presentation to council, the city also highlighted the zoneSA国际影视传媒檚 proximity to the downtown core, making it well-suited for transitioning to medium-density residential and multi-unit developments through intensification.

The city also stated that a formal traffic study isnSA国际影视传媒檛 needed as the expected traffic increase from the 30 new units would be considered minimal. Some councillors still noted traffic could end up becoming an issue down the line. 

Chris Greencorn, the city's director of public works and engineering, said his department would take that into consideration.

Other councillors voiced their excitement for this proposal, including Coun. Tom McLennan and Coun. Rob Warburton, who noted the projectSA国际影视传媒檚 potential to be accessible to local developers as one of its benefits.

Coun. Garrett Cochrane also thanked the public for their engagement in this project.

"I do like what I am seeing here," he said, adding he would support the amendment. "I would always support intensification within neighbourhoods."

The city owns the lots on Gitzel Street and has not yet determined how these lots would be sold. The amount of units that could be added varies between 10 and 30. Sizes and building heights will remain comparable to existing singleSA国际影视传媒恉etached lots, according to the city.

There might also be some blasting needed when building these units. When asked what happens if a person's place is hit by a blast, and who would be liable, Van Dine said he isn't able to give a definitive answer based on a hypothetical, but did note the contractor would be responsible for getting licensed to do blasting. 

The Workplace Safety and Compensation Commission is responsible for issuing blastig licences.

There still needs to be a public hearing on this proposed amendment before council votes, which the city has not yet issued a notice for.