A vacant commercial property in Copper Ridge is closer to becoming the site of 10 new homes.

That became clear Tuesday evening, after city council approved first reading to rezone the property at its meeting.

Property owner Patrick McLarnon has applied to rezone the 3,600 square metre property at 51 Keewenaw Dr. from its current Neighbourhood Commercial (CN) zone to Residential Multiple Housing (RM) to allow for the development.

As Mélodie Simard, the city’s planning and sustainability manager, told council in an earlier report, McLarnon has owned the site since it was created and put out to tender by the Yukon government in 2005.

However, there’s been little interest in it as a commercial property.

In 2011, council turned down his application to rezone the property to Comprehensive Neighbourhood Commercial (CNC) which would have at that time allowed for residential development.

McLarnon’s latest rezoning application came in April for the RM zone to allow for the 10-unit townhouse development.

Simard told council there hasn’t been uptake on the land as a commercial site – which sits just 1.5 kilometres from the Granger Mall.

As she noted in her report to council: “Allowing for the lot to have a stand-alone residential development would reduce the commercial opportunities potentially available in Copper Ridge.

“However, given the low-density development style of Copper Ridge, and the close proximity to businesses in Granger, it is understandable that the feasibility of commercial establishments could be a challenge at the site.”

While the site is zoned for commercial use, Simard also pointed out that under the Official Community Plan, the area is designated Residential-Urban. That allows “for a variety of serviced residential development in close proximity to service and amenities.”

The plan encourages residential neighbourhoods being built to feature the basics for residents to “live, work, and play in their day-to-day lives.

“Building complete communities also means providing variety in the mix of housing types available in neighbourhoods in order to meet a variety of housing preferences and needs.”

The site is a corner lot, with roadways running along two sides, which would allow for parallel parking. A park with a play structure next to the lot and public transit are available on Keewenaw Drive.

“These factors contribute to the site’s general suitability for higher-density residential development,” Simard noted in her report.

With first reading now approved, a public hearing will be held June 11.

A report on that hearing will then come forward to council at its June 18 meeting, with council then expected to vote on second and third readings June 25.