The city is trying to acquire territorial government land in an effort to boost commercial and residential development.
During a governance and priorities committee meeting on July 14 at city hall, city council considered how it would go about doing this and which land itSA国际影视传媒檚 looking to acquire. There are multiple parcels the municipality is eyeing, including areas near Niven Drive, Taylor Road, and Frame Lake.
For the latter, that piece of land is 41 hectares in size, according to the city.
Charlsey White, the city's director of planning and development, said the land would go toward commercial and residential development, but there are plenty of steps ahead.
That land, for example, would need rezoning, a community plan amendment and more. Any possible development needs public consultation first as well, she added.
"From acquisition through to a final disposition of lots that we create, you could be looking at about two years," said White.
The housing units the city would develop would support its intensification-first strategy, she added. That strategy emphasizes the need for more duplexes and triplexes in the city and increasing housing density overall.
But before any of that happens, the GNWT needs to approve any land acquisition as it currently owns the property. As to when that might happen, White couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 say for sure, but estimated it could take up to a year.
Specifically, White said the city has been talking to the Department of Environment and Climate Change, adding that conversations between both levels of government have been going well.
City manager Stephen Van Dine told councillors the city has been in discussions with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation about its development plans as well.
Coun. Garrett Cochrane said he supports the citySA国际影视传媒檚 efforts to acquire more land parcels, as did Couns. Ryan Fequet and Rob Warburton.
Mayor Ben Hendriksen also voiced his support and noted that acquiring more land from the GNWT is not specific to Yellowknife, but multiple communities across the NWT also.
"This is something we're all pushing for," he said.
Council will continue the conversation on acquiring more GNWT land at a future date.
