Three of seven multi-family lots in phase one of the new Whistle Bend subdivision were awarded to three companies at Friday afternoon's tender opening.

Hillcrest Builders was awarded one lot, as was Can-Cor Enterprises. Can-Cor Holdings was also awarded a parcel.

The only other bid, submitted by Amit Kumar, was rejected because it was not submitted on the proper tender documents.

Can-Cor Enterprises Ltd. submitted five bids for the same property, initially bidding $252,000 for the lot which carried a minimum upset price of $195,339.

Can-Cor also submitted bids of $272,000, $292,000, $312,000 and $342,000, to the confusion of those watching the public tender opening, wondering why a company would bid against itself.

John Cole, the Yukon's manager of client services for the lands branch, explained afterward that companies can withdraw bids.

In the case of Can-Cor Enterprises, for instance, it can withdraw its four highest bids and go with its lowest bid, assuming there are no competing bids, and there wasn't.

Technically, Can-Cor was awarded the property with its high bid of $342,000.

Can-Cor Holdings submitted five bids for the land, which carried a minimum upset price of $314,000, with a high bid $452,000, and a low bid of $362,000. It was the only company to bid.

Hillcrest Builders submitted five bids for the lot, which carried a minimum upset price of $217,044, with a high bid of $332,000, and low bid of $252,000. It was the lone bidder.

Each of the companies was required to include a 20 per cent deposit with each property.

Can-Cor Holdings, for instance, would have had to put down 20 per cent with each of its five bids, for a total deposit of $400,000.

How the lands branch will handle the remaining four lots – whether they will become available for sale over the counter, for example – is a matter still being discussed, government spokesman Ron Billingham explained this morning.

Cole announced Friday the lands branch will hold a lottery specifically for builders and contractors for the single-family residential lots left over from Wednesday's public lottery. (See story below.)

The three successful companies have until Oct. 15 to enter into an agreement for sale with the Yukon Housing Corp.

There is a provision to postpone full payment of the property for three years, although the GST in the full amount is required.

Builders will also be required to pay the development cost charge to the city in the amount of $2,800 per housing unit.

City planner Kinden Kosick said this morning the city will likely collect the development charge at the time a building permit is issued, when the number of units being applied for is final.

He said under the zoning bylaw for multi-family developments, the density regulations require builders to provide no fewer than 25 units per hectare and no more than 35.

In the case of the lot secured by Hillcrest Builders – measuring just over 1/4 of a hectare – the company would be required to provide no fewer than six units and no more than nine, Kosick explained. There is no restriction on the type of units erected.

There could be, for instance, high-end condominiums, or two duplexes each with a suite to make up the minimum density of six units, he pointed out.

On Can-Cor Holding's lot measuring just under four-tenths of a hectare, the minimum number of units is calculated at nine, with 13 as the maximum.

The four remaining multi-family lots are priced at $180,649, 199,465, $846,888 and $860,983.

The two most expensive lots are both just over one hectare in size, with a maximum density of 35 units, or slightly more.

Lands branch director Colin McDowell said this morning the four lots will likely be available for sale over the counter following the 14-day period the three successful companies have to enter into purchase agreements.

Eight more multi-family lots are scheduled to be available next fall when phase two is expected to hit the market, according to city documents.