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New North/South Neighbourhood Studies

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In partnership with Ta’an Kwäch’än Council (TKC), Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN), and the Government of Yukon (YG), the City is beginning feasibility work for the development of two new residential areas in Whitehorse. The City's Official Community Plan (OCP) identified two areas for potential future neighbourhoods. The South and North Growth areas sit on KDFN and TKC Settlement Lands, as well as City and YG land.

In 2017, the City completed pre-feasibility studies for both areas. This work informed the OCP review and set out next steps for the project, such as completing feasibility studies to determine if the areas are suitable for development. In December 2023, TKC, KDFN, YG, and the City signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on this project. Throughout the next two years, work will include:

Geophysics Survey
This study will identify shallow bedrock in both areas. Bedrock can impact how and where we build roads, services, and homes.

Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Land Use Study
This study will help us better understand and document the relationship between humans and the land in both areas, for example, through archaeology, oral history, and language. KDFN will lead this work in partnership with TKC.

Wildlife and Winter Track Surveys
This study will help us understand how often we see wildlife such as woodland caribou in the North Growth Area . It is important to understand how often wildlife frequent this area as we may need to put wildlife protection measures in place.

Transportation and Servicing Study
This study will identify infrastructure needs for each neighbourhood. For example, it will tell us what road, public and active transportation, water, and wastewater services and improvements are needed.

These studies will help us make informed decisions about housing growth in Whitehorse.

To stay up to date on this project, watch for updates on this page.

In partnership with Ta’an Kwäch’än Council (TKC), Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN), and the Government of Yukon (YG), the City is beginning feasibility work for the development of two new residential areas in Whitehorse. The City's Official Community Plan (OCP) identified two areas for potential future neighbourhoods. The South and North Growth areas sit on KDFN and TKC Settlement Lands, as well as City and YG land.

In 2017, the City completed pre-feasibility studies for both areas. This work informed the OCP review and set out next steps for the project, such as completing feasibility studies to determine if the areas are suitable for development. In December 2023, TKC, KDFN, YG, and the City signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on this project. Throughout the next two years, work will include:

Geophysics Survey
This study will identify shallow bedrock in both areas. Bedrock can impact how and where we build roads, services, and homes.

Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Land Use Study
This study will help us better understand and document the relationship between humans and the land in both areas, for example, through archaeology, oral history, and language. KDFN will lead this work in partnership with TKC.

Wildlife and Winter Track Surveys
This study will help us understand how often we see wildlife such as woodland caribou in the North Growth Area . It is important to understand how often wildlife frequent this area as we may need to put wildlife protection measures in place.

Transportation and Servicing Study
This study will identify infrastructure needs for each neighbourhood. For example, it will tell us what road, public and active transportation, water, and wastewater services and improvements are needed.

These studies will help us make informed decisions about housing growth in Whitehorse.

To stay up to date on this project, watch for updates on this page.

  • Residential development feasibility studies underway for Whitehorse North and South Growth Areas

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    This is a joint news release between Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, the Government of Yukon and the City of Whitehorse originally published July 9, 2024 here.

    The Government of Yukon, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the City of Whitehorse are conducting feasibility work to evaluate the potential for residential development in the North and South Growth Areas. These areas, identified in the City of Whitehorse’s Official Community Plan include Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Settlement Lands and vacant Government of Yukon land.

    This work follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in December 2023 between Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, Kwanlin Dün First Nation, the City of Whitehorse and the Government of Yukon. This MOU outlines collaboration between the parties to study the physical, cultural and economic feasibility of new residential neighbourhoods in Whitehorse.

    The studies being conducted in these areas include, but are not limited to:

    • A Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Land Use Study to capture tangible and non-tangible heritage values in both areas. This work would occur in partnership with Ta’an Kwäch’än Council and Kwanlin Dün First Nations’ Citizens.
    • A geophysical survey to identify shallow bedrock. Bedrock can have implications on how and where roads, services and homes are built.
    • Wildlife camera and track surveys for the North Growth Area to understand how wildlife use the area, especially woodland caribou.
    • A rare plant and fish habitat survey.
    • Servicing and transportation assessments to see how areas could be connected and serviced with the rest of the city.

    Both areas will be studied, but the South Growth Area is identified in the Official Community Plan as the priority for development. It is located south of the Copper Ridge neighbourhood towards McLean Lake.

    These assessments benefit Yukoners by exploring options for lot development to support Whitehorse’s growth.

    "This feasibility study, founded in partnership, recognizes the spirit of cooperation that is needed to support Yukoners as our territory grows. It is important to our government to address economic development with reconciliation and environmental protection as top priority. This is the first of many steps to come for this project to help deliver the housing Yukoners need."
    - Premier Ranj Pillai

    "As our city grows, working in collaboration with our local governments is important for our growth and expansion to be carefully planned so that all Yukoners can prosper. TKC will work to ensure that Whitehorse grows in a good way for the benefit of our People and the greater Whitehorse Community and for future generations."
    - Council Chief Ta’an Kwäch’än Amanda Leas

    "We are pleased to be working together with our First Nations partners and the territorial government to conduct this important work. Whitehorse is one of the fastest growing municipalities in Canada. Proper planning with our partners will ensure we can accommodate further population growth in a sustainable way."
    - Mayor of the City of Whitehorse Laura Cabott

    Quick facts

    • The South Growth study area is 898 hectares in size.

    • The North Growth area is 1,123 hectares in size.

    Media contact

    Laura Seeley
    Cabinet Communications
    867-332-7627
    Laura.Seeley@yukon.ca

    Taylor Harvey
    Communications, Community Services
    867-332-1237
    taylor.harvey@yukon.ca

    Matthew Cameron
    City of Whitehorse
    867-689-0515
    matthew.cameron@whitehorse.ca

Page last updated: 25 Sep 2024, 09:46 AM