The City of Yellowknife has rejected its own application to turn some land near Rotary Park into temporary parking, saying it would adversely affect the area.
The decision affects only a small area – a square of grass down the street from Rotary Park itself, on the other side of the Dettah Ice Road entrance.
Earlier in the summer, the city put up a sign saying the land would become temporary parking for vehicles and trailers for up to three years if the application was approved.
The city needs extra parking because a lot normally used by Old Town visitors and boat trailers is now a construction site for a new lift station.
But city planners issued a decision this week that rejected the square of grass as an appropriate location.
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“This proposal will adversely impact on the existing natural geographic features and environment by impacting the established passive park area,” the decision stated.
The proposal could also affect wildlife and vegetation while increasing traffic past an active construction site, the decision added.
The city does have the right to appeal the decision.
Plans to turn a separate area next to the Fritz Thiel ball diamonds into a similar stretch of temporary parking are not affected by this week’s decision. That area is covered by a different application.
