Niven housing project is approved by Yellowknife council

Yellowknife city councillors have unanimously approved a housing project in the Niven neighbourhood that drew opposition from some residents.

A four-storey, 24-unit apartment building is being proposed by developer Milan Mrdjenovich on Hagel Drive.

The development meets zoning bylaw and community plan requirements, but proposes more units on the lot than the Niven Lake Development Scheme allowed under a previous bylaw.

Earlier this month, newly hired city manager John Collin said council should decide whether the project goes ahead to “ensure transparency in the decision-making instead of simply a development officer’s decision.”

Nine residents of the area wrote to the city about the proposal, most of them opposing the development.

Residents raised issues like the construction work required and the project’s potential impact on traffic, housing density, sunlight and green space. One called the proposal “absurd and wrong.”

Councillors, however, were broadly supportive.

At an earlier meeting, Mayor Rebecca Alty stressed housing was already permitted on the lot. The question before council was narrower: whether to permit a building with four more units than previously allowed.

She noted the proposed building would take up a footprint smaller than the maximum space allowed and provide 24 parking spaces, five more than required.

“The number-one issue that I hear every single day is lack of housing in Yellowknife,” Alty added.

“I can appreciate that it’s going to be difficult to have another summer of construction in this area but as these are the last lots to develop, I’m sure folks will also appreciate just one more summer of construction.”

At Monday evening’s council meeting, councillors formally voted on the project and agreed unanimously to let it move ahead.

The project will now be granted a development permit, with conditions attached, that allows 24 units to be built.