A proposed change to the Copper Ridge Master Plan to allow for as many as 200 new residences continues to be problematic for area residents.

On Monday evening, a public forum was held by city council during its regular meeting.

A handful of people aired their concerns.

Nick Smart from Grizzly Circle said he is concerned as to how traffic would be impacted.

“The junction of Falcon Drive and Hamilton Boulevard is quite busy, and when it snows, the sight lines are a problem because it’s in the way, and you have to be very careful on occasion,” he pointed out.

Smart said he would like to see a lower speed limit. Possibly a traffic circle is needed to slow down the traffic, especially for pedestrian crossings, he added.

“It would be something to consider,” he said.

John Gunter said that for more than 20 years, he has lived in Copper Ridge, a few blocks from the proposed development.

“I am completely opposed to this plan,” he said. “There are a number of reasons, apart from the increased traffic on Falcon.

“The issue for me is that there’s going to be a lot of development on the other side of Falcon, which will put a lot of pressure on the whole area for traffic,” Gunter said.

“But my main reason is that the city is obligated to have green space, and this whole area is in the centre of Copper Ridge.”

Gunter said he’s used the area since he moved in, and it’s a popular area as the only green space in the centre of the neighbourhood.

He suggested the city would regret the move in another 20 years – as it won’t have any green space in the area.

“I think Copper Ridge deserves to have this space. I think the future of the city has to be planned for that.”

Spence Hill was more in favour of the concept, saying she was pleased to see the land in question be used, which would clean up the deadfall from a windstorm last year.

“Something needs to happen with that land.”

Another resident, Stewart Clarke, who said he was a board member of the neighbourhood association, had concerns about on-street parking with the proposed development.

He said off-site parking would be essential, if the street is to remain navigable.

Clarke said there’s no official reference to developments being required to have off-street parking in response to a question from Mayor Laura Cabott.

The final speaker, Anna Chapman, said her concern is also green space.

If the green space in the area is removed, “there’s no turning back,” she said.

Chapman added she is worried people looking for outdoor recreation – just a simple walk in the park – would have nowhere to go.

There is no firm timeline for council to make a decision on the matter.

The proposal, according to a staff report, would see advancing the Copper Ridge Development Area Master Plan for council approval on the residential development of Yukon government lots 518 (in part), 519, and the city-owned lot 520.

The report states current services would support low-density residential development for approximately 248 people or 103 dwelling units.