A City of Whitehorse plan to sell two lots on Ogilvie Street sparked heated debate at city council last night, not about the sale, but about the process to approve it.
Councillor Mike Gladish presented a motion to move the land disposition of 706 and 708 Ogilvie into the bylaw process. But the plan has drawn concern from some Whitehorse citizens.
Pat Ellis sent a letter to city council asking them to hold off on selling the property, and Sally Wright of the Escarpment Parks Society spoke at city hall Tuesday night asking the city to put the brakes on the sale. She wants the place protected for use as a green space.
A bylaw of this type doesn’t require public hearings, but Mayor Dan Curtis said he wants to ensure that any concerns are addressed. He will hold a special mayor’s meeting sometime in the next two weeks to allow residents to voice their opinions on the sale. A date for the meeting has not been set yet.
In the meantime, the bylaw will be brought forward for first reading at city council two weeks from now.