Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Local Area Plan?
Local area planning is a type of land planning that is done for the Yukon’s unincorporated communities. A Local Area Plan (LAP) for Tagish is currently being developed by the governments of Yukon and Carcross/Tagish First Nation. Some of the main objectives for completing the Tagish Local Area Plan include:
• Promoting coordinated land use on Yukon, C/TFN and privately owned lands;
• Minimizing actual or potential land use conflicts;
• Achieving safe, healthy and orderly development and use of land; and,
• Maintaining and improving the quality and use of both the built and natural environments.
LAPs usually consist of maps and policies that outline appropriate land uses for different areas and inform more detailed zoning regulations. LAPs also set direction and priorities on a range of land use-related issues. The LAPs recently developed for Marsh Lake and Carcross focused on topics such as trail use, heritage conservation, environmental stewardship, and commercial development.
Click here to view Local Area Plans for other Yukon communities.
Q: Who is involved with the Tagish Local Area Plan?
A:
Steering Committee: The governments of Yukon (YG) and Carcross/Tagish First Nation (C/TFN) have appointed three members each to a Steering Committee that will guide the process. Members include Martin Allen, Paul Dabbs, Vicki Hancock, Bill Barrett Sr., Patrick James, and Adam Winters.
Plan Secretariat: The Committee is supported by planning staff from Yukon Government (Tomoko Hagio) and Government of Carcross/Tagish First Nation (Doris Dreyer). They provide advice to the Committee and directly supervise the work of the Planning Team.
Planning Team: Urban Systems of Whitehorse has been hired to lead a multi-disciplinary team to gather background information, engage the community, develop draft planning scenarios and policies for review, and write the Plan.
Community/Public: Tagish residents and property owners and C/TFN citizens will provide both information and input to the Planning Team throughout all phases of the process. Information will also be sought from experts in fields such as heritage, wildlife, and hydrology in order to form a complete picture of the planning area.
Q: How will the Plan be developed?
A: The planning process is set out in four major phases: 1) Information Gathering and Analysis; 2) Tagish Planning Week; 3) Draft Plan Development; and 4) Final Plan Development and Approval. Each phase is designed to build on the previous one and provides opportunities for the community of Tagish and Carcross/Tagish First Nation citizens to get involved.
Q: Where are the boundaries of the planning area?
A: The planning area boundaries incorporate most of the developed residential areas of Tagish, as well as some of the undeveloped hinterland adjacent to them. The area includes Commissioner's (Yukon), Carcross/Tagish First Nation, and privately owned lands.
Q: Why is the Local Area Plan being completed now?
A: A Local Area Plan for Tagish was committed to by both the Governments of Yukon and Carcross/Tagish First Nation (C/TFN) through the C/TFN Self-Government Agreement. Planning gives the Tagish community – which includes residents, property owners, and C/TFN citizens – a direct say in decisions that will affect current and future land use in the area. Planning helps to minimize land use conflicts and ensure that future growth and development are consistent with the community's values and government policies and legislation.
Q: When will the Plan be completed?
A: The Tagish planning process will take place over a period of about 16-18 months. The Planning Committee was appointed in Summer 2014, but the process effectively got underway with the recruitment of the consultant Planning Team in March 2015. The final Plan is tentatively scheduled for submission and final approval by the Governments of Yukon and Carcross/Tagish First Nation in August 2016.