It appears there could be space for many residents and businesses in the next phase of the Whistle Bend subdivision.

City planning manager Pat Ross brought forward a recommendation at Monday’s city council meeting.

It advises council to approve the proposed subdivision for the third phase of the neighbourhood provided the territory sign a development agreement with the city to build utilities, roads and lanes in a 24.8-hectare area.

The subdivision would create 55 single-family and duplex lots, 20 sites for row housing, and 13 multi-family lots.

That’s in addition to 35 neighbourhood commercial properties, two areas for potential parks, two lots for parking garages, and two institutional lots (zoning for schools, churches and the like).

It’s also in addition to two public service lots in the area of Casca Boulevard and Keno Way, next to the 150-bed (with space for an additional 150 beds) continuing care facility the Yukon government is constructing off Olive May Way near Keno Way.

“All lots created through the proposed subdivision will be accessed from a network originating from Mountainview Drive by way of Whistle Bend Way and Casca Boulevard,” Ross stated in his report to council.

The proposed development agreement will outline the responsibilities of the city and territory on the project according to the larger master plan for the entire Whistle Bend area along with all the legislation and standards in place.

The subdivision would also be subject to the city’s public use land dedication, where a minimum 10 per cent of the land up for subdivision – or cash in lieu of the same value – must be set aside for public use areas like parks and playgrounds.

“The land dedication proposed through this subdivision is in the form of greenbelts and park lots that will also contribute to land dedications in further subdivisions,” Ross noted.

“Approximately 30 per cent of the developed area (255 ha) of the complete Whistle Bend neighbourhood is dedicated to greenbelts and park lots.”

Answering questions put forward by Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu, Ross explained each agreement with the territory for the development of the neighbourhood is done as the phases come forward, given that each subdivision area has individual differences that need to be dealt with.

“They are done on a case-by-case basis,” he said.

There had initially been plans for the city to oversee the development of Phase 3 of the neighbourhood.

Ross noted that given the current fast pace of development in Phase 2, officials decided to have the territory continue on as the developer in order to get more lots on the market faster.

Ross noted under further questions from Coun. Dan Boyd that there’s “been a recent uptake in lots.”

While he couldn’t say for certain, he said it’s his sense there’s a number of builders buying properties now because of the longer timeline the Yukon government provides to pay the full cost of each parcel.

Once the city takes over as developer, full payment will be required in just three months.

Mike Gau, the city’s director of development services, confirmed for Coun. Samson Hartland there are currently 20 single-family lots, 18 duplex properties, seven multi-family sites and one commercial lot available for sale over the counter.

The territory aims to have a two-year stock of lots available over the counter at any one time.

While work is being done to move forward with Phase 3, it’s not expected there will be any more single-family or duplex lots available until 2017, Ross said.

Row housing sites, however, are expected to come online later this year.

It’s anticipated Whistle Bend has about 10 years of development left at the current rate that properties are being purchased and developed, Ross indicated.

Council will vote on whether to go ahead with the subdivision of Phase 3 next Tuesday evening.