City council has left the door open for more community input in the development of a neighbourhood plan for the Range Road North area.

In adopting the plan at Monday afternoon’s meeting, council also adopted an amendment proposed by Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu which allows for more consultation with the public.

Curteanu’s amendment says because of concerns raised about the potential loss of privacy and enjoyment of private property from the proposed network of new trails in the plan, there needed to be another process to explore final options.

That exercise needs to include more public involvement and input, says the amendment which was adopted unanimously.

“I think this is an excellent compromise, particularly in that we will have more public discussion of the trails and where they are placed,” said Coun. Betty Irwin.

Area resident Doug Gonder appeared before council last week to express his objection to the establishment of a new trail through the area as it wasn’t needed, and would encroach on existing properties.

The city, he insisted, did not do a good job of consulting residents along Range Road, as most were not made aware of exactly what was being proposed.

Gonder told council the existing network of trails is well-established, is fine just as it is and is already well-used.

Coun. Dave Stockdale on the amendment: “I think this opens up more specific discussion about the alignment of those trails, with the city being able to get more specific input from residents of the area.”

Mayor Dan Curtis said he probably erred in not having the neighbourhood plan brought forward to a meeting with senior city administrative staff and council members to address concerns before the plan hit council chambers for the vote.

Had he done so, he suggested, members of council may have been able to address concerns ahead of time and avoid the need for Curteanu’s amendment.

Also raised again Monday afternoon was the matter of the long-term vision for Range Road and whether it should remain open as thoroughfare for vehicle traffic.

Coun. Kirk Cameron suggested last week it may be nice for the neighbourhood to close Range Road north of Northland Mobile Park so it could be enjoyed by local residents as a pedestrian-friendly area.

“My concern is from the conceptual plan, Range Road looks like a drag strip, and I do not want to see that happen,” Irwin said.

But Stockdale also cautioned against being too hasty on a decision to shut down the north end of Range Road to traffic.

The councillor said a forest fire in the Porter Creek area some 40 years or longer ago closed down the Alaska Highway.

Range Road was the only route available for removing students from Jack Hulland Elementary School.

“So you have to be careful before you start blocking roads,” said Stockdale.

It was also suggested there are ways to manage traffic along the new Range Road.

“We have to make sure straight roads do not become fast roads,” said Coun. John Streicker.

Cameron said many opportunities still exist for city council to visit the question of what to do with the north end of Range Road.

There is a lot of “neat stuff” that can be done while leaving the roadway available for emergency use, he said.