April 8, 1998

  To:Corporate Services Committee

From:Commissioner, Corporate Services

 Subject:Road Closing and Surplus Property Declaration Westerly Portion of Monogram Place

(Kingsway-Humber--Ward 3)

  Purpose:

 The proposed development of a property at the west end of Monogram Place has presented an opportunity to close and dispose of a portion of the road allowance. Authority is sought for the closing and sale of the road allowance.

  Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 Acquisition or Improvement of City Properties Reserve Account (Etobicoke).

  Recommendations:

 It is recommended that: (1)road closing procedures be initiated to close the westerly portion of the Monogram Place road allowance, as shown on the attached sketch;

 (2)Council declare that the portion of the road is surplus and that the City intends to sell the lands;

 (3)public notice of the proposed sale be given by including a notation to that effect with the advertising of the road closing;

 (4)staff be directed to sell the lands on an Aas is@ basis directly to the abutting owner immediately after the road is closed for assembly with the adjoining industrial lands, subject to the reservation of any easements required for municipal services and public utilities, for a consideration of $35,000.00 provided that the purchaser be responsible for all costs associated with the road closure process, survey, and legal, and the cost of reconstructing the cul-de-sac; and

(5)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

  Council Reference/Background/History:

 A. Mantella & Sons Ltd. (Mantella) is the owner of the vacant industrial land at 26 Monogram Place. They are proposing the development of a 150,000-square foot industrial/warehouse building on their 8.47-acre site.

 The proponent has requested that the City stop-up, close, and sell the westerly portion of the Monogram Place road allowance. There is a one-foot reserve along the south limit of the road and, as such, Mantella is the only legal abutting owner entitled to purchase any surplus portion of the road.

 Staff of the Works Department have confirmed that the westerly portion of the road is not required for municipal purposes and could be sold subject to any easements to be reserved for municipal purposes and further subject to the purchaser being responsible for the reconstruction of the cul-de-sac. The reconstruction of the cul-de-sac has been estimated at a cost of $89,000.00 by Works Department staff.

 It is proposed that the purchaser reimburse the City for its reasonable costs related to the road closure process, as well as survey and legal costs for the conveyance.

  Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

 The Municipal Act requires the road be closed as a public highway prior to sale. Advertisements in local newspapers are required as part of the road closing process.

 The portion of road deemed surplus is approximately 0.58 acre. The proponent will convey a small piece of land comprising approximately 0.15 acre for creation of the relocated cul-de-sac. Thus, the net area of City land to be conveyed to the proponent is 0.43 acre, subject to survey.

 A preliminary in-house estimate of the land value had suggested a sale price of $65,000.00.

 The proponent, by way of letter dated February 5, 1998, had offered a price of $35,000.00 in consideration of the municipal easements, his own estimates of the cul-de-sac reconstruction, and the physical characteristics of the land.

 The proponent had also requested certain other concessions related to building permit fees and storm water quality charges. These latter requests could not be accommodated according to the Urban Development and Works Commissioners for the Etobicoke District.

  Conclusions:

 The proposed closure and sale of the westerly portion of the Monogram Place road allowance would facilitate the development of the industrial property at 26 Monogram Place. As newspaper advertisements will be required as part of the road closing process, the public notice requirements can be met by including a notation to that effect in the road closing advertisements.

  Contact Name: Frank Bedard, Telephone: (416) 394-8096 Fax: (416) 394-8895 (cs98047.wpd )

      Margaret Rodrigues

Commissioner, Corporate Services