There seems to be general support for a new country residential development near the Lobird Trailer Home Park.

The city held a public hearing Monday evening on the issue.

Speakers flagged a few minor concerns, but overall backed having the Official Community Plan (OCP) amended to allow for a 16-lot, 12-hectare development in what will eventually be a dense, urban neighbourhood.

City staff originally recommended against the proposal, as it could adversely affect future development in the “South Growth Area” at the south end of Hamilton Boulevard.

In addition to the five presentations Monday, one written submission opposed to the amendment had been received to that point, according to corporate services director Valerie Braga.

Lobird resident Anthony Lundgard said increased traffic from the new houses is his main concern, especially given the lack of street lighting on Lobird Road from the roundabout up to the existing residences.

“There just needs to be more safety in the neighbourhood,” he said, noting that more houses in the area could help bring down prices.

Having more land available for growing food was important for Beau Blakely.

“I would like an opportunity to put in a garden to produce some of my own food on one of those new lots,” he said.

He also asked if it would be possible for the city to install a bench at the bus stop in Lobird.

Local realtor Felix Robitaille made his second appearance before council on the matter.

He said he’s received mostly positive feedback, with the Highlands Estate development “bringing a breath of fresh air to Whitehorse’s housing stock” and being “an amazing opportunity” for Yukoners interested in a country residential setting close to town.

“The Highland Estate project is not meant to be a solution for low-cost housing, but it will relieve some pressure on our market as people upgrade,” Robitaille said.

He acknowledged that he has heard from some people concerned about urban sprawl and housing affordability, however.

Lobird Living Corp. developer Dwight Chalifour told council in March that the Highland Estates project could be ready for sales next year if they approve the zoning change in the OCP to country residential from urban.

Council is to make a final decision on July 8 or Aug. 12, at third reading.

Professional planner Zoë Morrison said the parcel is “developable” as proposed.

“When Stantec worked with the developer on the concept plan, we considered how best to limit impacts on the future planning and development of the site,” she said Monday.

It’s a relatively small portion of the whole South Growth Area, she noted.

Lobird Living will work with the city to build in as much flexibility as possible on the new roads it will build, for example, having the right-of-way wide enough to add infrastructure in future, Morrison said.

“And if our plan is approved, there will be several opportunities for the developer to work on plans to make sure it doesn’t unnecessarily curtail the broader development of the South Growth Area,” she added.

Coun. Dan Boyd was concerned about access to water on the lots, given that just one test well was drilled.

“We won’t sell lots unless we know there’s water,” Chalifour said Monday.

Cathway says there is lots of water in the area, and that residents can use a cistern if they don’t want to dig a well, he added.

“We are pro-density,” Chalifour told council.

When city water and sewer services come to the South Growth Area, Lobird Living is prepared to develop affordable housing, putting mobile homes or modular homes on 63 lots of flat land next to the existing trailer park.

With respect to the concern about increased traffic, Chalifour noted there are only 16 houses going in, with possibly 32 vehicles involved, “and they’ll have their own road.”

Councillors had raised concerns in March about having only 16 lots developed.

“Development on the site will be challenging,” Morrison said Monday.

“Because of the grade and ground conditions, we know that a portion of this site, 20 to 30 per cent, would be unsuitable for urban density development.”

And while it might be possible to put more lots into the project, the city’s own rules require that country residential lots be a minimum of ½ hectare, she noted.

Development in the South Growth Area could result in up to 8,500 dwellings.

The city has already begun feasibility work on the project. Development could start within 10 years, unless council decided to start with the North Growth Area, city manager Jeff O’Farrell told council members in March.

The Highland Park development, including roads and playground development, would be built at no cost to the city.

It would be similar to Raven’s Ridge. Its access road would connect to Lobird Road.