February 2, 1998
To:Community Council - East York
From:Don Boyle
A/Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Operations
Subject:Request to purchase property abutting 169 Hopedale Avenue, East York
Purpose:
To provide opportunity for Community Council input into a real estate matter concerning lands requested for purchase
abutting 169 Hopedale Avenue.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
A request has been forwarded through staff and Councillor Prue to consider the sale of an additional 30.57 square metres
to the abutting property owner at 169 Hopedale Avenue. These lands form part of Arthur Dyson Parkette and are shown as
Part 2 in the attached reference plan. The following report will be forwarded to the Corporate Services Committee with
comments from the East York Community Council.
Recommendations:
AIt is recommended that:
(1)The City of Toronto decline the offer to purchase city owned lands abutting 169 Hopedale Avenue; and
(2)the appropriate City Officials be authorized to give effect thereto.@
Council Reference/Background/History:
In 1992, the owner of 169 Hopedale offered to purchase an abutting parcel of land of approximately 18.6 to 27.9 square
metres (200-300 square feet). Council for the Borough of East York offered these lands for sale in May 1992 but the
purchaser did not complete the transaction. In April 1997, the owner of 169 Hopedale once again requested purchase of the
abutting land and requested a slightly larger parcel. Based on this request, and the previous history of approval, in August
1997 the Council for the former Borough of East York declared lands in the amount of approximately 51.1 square metres
(550 square feet) to be surplus and offered these lands for sale to the abutting owner. A reference plan was submitted by the
surveyor retained by the purchaser which showed lands in the amount of 74.32 square metres (800 square feet). Based on
concerns from the solicitor and the Parks, Recreation and Operations Department, the reference plan was revised to show
Part 1 at 51.1 square metres (550 square feet) and Part 2 at 30.57 square metres (329 square feet). Part 1 was conveyed to
the abutting owner on January 5, 1998.
Discussion
The Parks, Recreation and Operations Department for the community of East York cannot support the sale of this
additional property. The parks planning area in which the subject property is located is significantly deficient in parkland
provision (0.9 acres per 1,000 population) when compared to other planning areas within the community of East York and
within the City of Toronto as a whole. Further reduction, however minor, of public greenspace as afforded by Arthur Dyson
parkette is not recommended.
Support for the sale of Part 1 was provided by the Parks, Recreation and Operations Department on the basis that Council
had previously approved the sale and that an existing tree would not be impacted by a relocated property line. Although not
shown on the reference plan an existing tree in Arthur Dyson Parkette will be negatively impacted by a property line
relocated to the boundary of Part 2.
Conclusions:
The offer to purchase Part 2 of Plan 66R-17783 should be declined by the City Council based on the lands current and
future use as public greenspace. The Interim Lead for Real Estate (Cathie MacDonald) has reviewed this matter and
concurs with the recommendations herein.
Contact Name:
Mark Davies778-2188Fax:466-4170
Director of Facilities, Projects and Property
Community of East York
Don Boyle
A/Commissioner of Parks, Recreation & Operations
Community of East York
