CITY CLERK
Clause embodied in Report No. 8 of the North York Community Council, as deferred by the North York
Community Council at its meeting held on July 22, 1998.
30(d)Post Road Allowance East of Bridle Heath Gate - North York Centre South.
The North York Community Council reports having deferred consideration of the following report to its next
meeting scheduled for September 16, 1998:
(June 23, 1998) from the Commissioner of Transportation, North York Civic Centre, recommending that:
(1)the unimproved portion of the Post Road road allowance which extends east of Bridle Heath Gate be legally closed and
dedicated as parkland; and
(2)the closure be subject to the provision of utility easements as required.
June 23, 1998
To:North York Community Council
From:Jim S. Kinrade, Commissioner of Transportation
North York Office
Re:Post Road Road Allowance east of Bridle Heath Gate
Ward 9, North York Centre South
Purpose:
To legally close that portion of the Post Road road allowance, east of Bridle Heath Gate and dedicate the same as parkland.
Ownership to be retained by the City.
Funding Sources:
Not applicable.
Recommendations:
(1)legally close that unimproved portion of the Post Road road allowance which extends east of Bridle Heath Gate and
dedicate it as parkland; and
(2)the closure be subject to the provision of utility easements as required.
Background History:
In 1975, North York Parks and Recreation Department expropriated approximately 0.3156 hectares from the rear of 1
Bridal Heath Gate. The expropriated property is below the top of the bank at the southern limit of Windfields Park and was
acquired for the purpose of access to the watercourse for flood control and maintenance of the Wilket Creek. Windfields
Park was never formally extended to include the expropriated land.
In October 1995, Mrs. Arend, the owner of No.1 Bridle Heath Gate, contacted the North York Parks and Recreation
Department requesting to purchase a portion of the property which had been expropriated as No.1 Bridle Heath Gate could
not comply with the R1-A zone of the Zoning ByLaw where the minimum lot size is 0.81 hectares (2 acres). The request of
Mrs. Arend was not granted.
Discussion:
In July 1997, Mr. Karsten Arend, made a request with respect to the possible acquisition of that portion of the Post Road
road allowance abutting No.1 Bridle Heath Gate to the south. The purpose of the acquisition was to build a new driveway
and to close access to the general public from accessing the public valley lands to the east. Apparently at times such as
luncheon hours, fast food wrappers and soft drink containers have been deposited along the unimproved road allowance by
certain members of the public although this issue has never been brought to the City's attention for investigation.
At a point, approximately 15 metres east of Bridle Heath Gate, the subject portion of road allowance slopes down into the
valley lands and connects with the west branch of the Wilket Creek. A 300-mm diameter municipal water main and a
250-mm diameter municipal sanitary sewer are located within this portion of Post Road. An existing row of mature
deciduous trees (approximately fifteen ) are planted within and along the north side of the road allowance.
Mr. Arend has assured staff that if he was successful in his bid to acquire that portion of Post Road road allowance, he
would not destroy the existing trees and would accept whatever easements necessary to protect municipal services and/or
public utilities.
More recently however, representatives of the Parks and Recreation Department, North York Office, have advised of
ongoing work in the valley to the east with respect to the Wilket Creek sanitary trunk sewer, and in particular the need to
protect for municipal access to both sides of the watercourse by the various municipal authorities or agencies which may be
involved.
Conclusion:
While it has been determined that the road allowance is surplus to the road needs of the municipality, ongoing ownership is
required until the access provisions from the west side of the watercourse and the valley have been resolved. Therefore, it is
deemed appropriate that the subject section of Post Road road allowance be legally closed, retained in the ownership of the
City and dedicated at this time as parkland. If in the future any part of this property is deemed surplus to the City's needs,
then the abutting property owners, who have shown an interest in the property acquisition, may be approached and advised
accordingly.
Contact Name:
Colin Couper, Director of Transportation Planning,
Works and Emergency Services, Transportation, North York Office.
Telephone 395-7470, Fax 395-7482, e-mail cwcouper@city.north.york.on.ca.
Jim S. Kinrade
Commissioner of Transportation North York Office
Attach.
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