The City of Yellowknife is considering rezoning a lot in its Kam Lake district to allow for a commercial campground.
Councillors on Monday discussed the proposal to develop 22 campsites adjacent to a lot at the end of Braden Boulevard, along the southern shore of Grace Lake.
The lot, owned and leased by the city, is currently used for sod farming by Arctic Farmer.
Lesley Cabott, a senior planner at Stantec – a company hired by Arctic Farmer – said the space was used for recreational vehicles last summer. The company is asking for a zoning bylaw amendment to permit a commercial campground so the lease is in compliance.
According to city staff, while the city’s community plan and zoning bylaw support commercial recreation in the area, a campground is not currently permitted. Staff recommended amending the bylaw to allow for a campground on the lot.
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Mayor Rebecca Alty said she was in favour of the proposal as she does not believe it will negatively affect nearby properties and would be complementary to the surrounding area.
The city will hold a public hearing about the project on March 25 at 7pm.
Also on Monday, councillors discussed giving $10,000 from the city’s heritage committee budget to the Yellowknife Historical Society’s museum.
“We are really pleased to see that the Yellowknife Historical Society is on the brink of opening up the Yellowknife museum after a long, strong effort to fundraise,” said city manager Sheila Bassi-Kellett.
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The museum has previously received funding from the city alongside the federal and NWT governments and donors.
Bassi-Kellett said the latest funding request to the city will help the museum, which is slated to open later this month, “cross the finish line.”
City councillor Garett Cochrane said he fully supported the ask.
“This is a great project,” he said. “I appreciate all the work committee has done to continuously support something that I think will have a long-term benefit for the community as a whole, and I can’t wait for that restaurant to be opened.”
Councillors will vote on the request on the evening of March 25. The museum, which will feature a restaurant named the Miner’s Mess, is set to have its grand opening on March 26.
