Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) and the Government of Yukon are pleased to announce a finalized master plan for a new neighbourhood planned in Whitehorse’s Range Point.
The master plan will guide future development on two pieces of land, one by KDFN and one by the Government of Yukon. Planning for Range Point started in 2021, with the final design created using input from KDFN citizens, Range Point residents and the public.
Once complete, the new neighbourhood will support approximately 390 new residential units through a mix of housing types, such as single-detached houses, duplexes, townhouses and apartment buildings. It will also feature a central park area, with internal walking and biking paths and access to green spaces for residents to enjoy.
The master plan will be sent to City of Whitehorse Council for consideration this summer, followed by an environmental assessment and detailed design process. It is anticipated that construction will begin in fall 2024 and take approximately three years to complete.
As Whitehorse grows, so does our need for housing. We are very pleased that our partnership with the Kwanlin Dün First Nation has resulted in a finalized master plan for the Range Point area. Creating more housing lots is important for both our governments and we look forward to further collaboration as the project advances.
The Range Point development will be a major economic development project for Kwanlin Dün First Nation. As more than 75 per cent of the project is located on Settlement Land, the site will generate revenue and be a source of financial sustainability for our First Nation. It is also a tangible example of governments partnering to benefit all Yukoners.
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Since settling Final and Self-Government agreements in 2005, KDFN has exercised the rights in the agreements to create policies and legislation needed to undertake land development.
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KDFN completed its Community Lands Plan in 2019. This confirmed its citizens’ direction to explore the development of C-15B, specifically through residential leases.
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In 2020, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the KDFN and the Yukon government to collaborate on the joint master plan.
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In June 2021, KDFN published a “What we Heard” report based on a survey completed by KDFN citizens and Range Point residents. The survey asked for general development ideas, priorities and concerns.
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Based on public feedback, three draft neighbourhood concepts were developed. A second public engagement effort sought feedback into those concepts, which were then refined into the final plan.
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The master plan will be reviewed next by the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB). The plan will also go to Whitehorse City Council for potential endorsement in summer 2023. The governments will then proceed with applications for zoning amendments, subdivision approval and development agreement(s) with the City followed by detailed engineering design.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Leighann Chalykoff
Communications Manager, Kwanlin Dün First Nation
867-334-2012
Leighann.chalykoff@kdfn.net
John Tonin
Communications, Community Services
867-334-5816
John.Tonin@yukon.ca