The discussion about height restrictions in the Steelox portion of Hillcrest has been put on hold. On Monday night, Whitehorse City Council voted unanimously to delay the second reading of a bylaw that would restrict all new buildings in that area of the neighbourhood to eight metres until the Hillcrest Neighbourhood Plan is finished. The bylaw passed first reading by a vote of 5-2 last month.
The bylaw includes a provision to allow buildings on four properties on Hillcrest Drive to be as tall as nine metres. These properties belong to Kirn Dhillon. Last fall, city council approved his application to build four triplexes. But some Hillcrest residents were concerned these buildings would block their sunlight. Some were also concerned changes were being made in the neighbourhood without there being a neighbourhood plan. They asked for a height restriction in this part of the neighbourhood earlier this year.
Until the bylaw is passed, no building permits can be issued for buildings taller than eight metres in the Steelox area, or taller than nine metres on Dhillon’s properties. The city has been meeting with residents of Hillcrest over the past few months. The neighbourhood plan should be complete this winter. Council will then have to vote to adopt the plan.