One of the city’s private country-residential developments is getting bigger.
The developer of Fox Haven Estates and co-owner of the Meadow Lakes Golf and Country Club, Jeff Leuhmann, is applying to the city to add another five lots to his 15.18-hectare, 26-lot subdivision.
The 26 lots were developed when Leuhmann acquired a 23.6-hectare parcel of land from the Yukon government after exercising his right to purchase a commercial-recreation lease.
Leuhmann purchased the Crown land for $454,000 after the government had the land appraised by a Kelowna, BC-based firm.
The latest proposal requires an amendment to Whitehorse’s Official Community Plan, said city planning manager Mike Gau at last Monday’s council meeting.
“Mr. Leuhmann is prepared to develop five additional country-residential lots,” said Gau.
“These are new. They’re (currently) part of the larger golf-course property.
“The planning department has received an application for a change to the (community plan) from commercial recreation to country residential.”
While the 3.8-hectare area being applied for was scheduled to remain part of the golf course when the original 26 lots were being developed, the plans have changed, said Gau.
“In the original plans these lots were to be developed as rental chalets or a hotel, however the applicant believes that changes in the local housing market make residential development a more viable option,” he said.
The latest application for residential land will not require an assessment by the Yukon Economic and Socio-economic Assessment Board, according to a city administrative report.
“The initial project was reviewed by the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board and a decision document was issued.
“The trigger for the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act review was the disposal of Yukon government-owned land."