Acquisition of 168 Bathgate Drive from Mary Bilkey

(Ward 16 - Scarborough Highland Creek)

The Corporate Services Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (June25, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

Purpose:

This report recommends the acquisition of a residential property to accommodate the re-naturalization of the west branch of the Centennial Watercourse, south-east corner Bathgate and Meadowvale.

Funding:

The land acquisition to be charged to Capital Account No.57837-00000-85040-481 and funded from the following sources: 1994 to 1997 Projects: No.8504-0, No.8549-0, No.8505-0, No.8559-0, and 8560-0

-Sources:No.72394 Capital Levy Reserve Fund$1,950,000.00

No.70293 Development Fees - residential$1,770,000.00

No.70294 Development Fees - non-residential$ 430,000.00

(a) Approved $4,150,000.00; (b) Spent and Committed to Date $2,996,616.00; (c) This Request $478,000.00 (d) Balance $675,384.00

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the City purchase the 1.020 ha (2.52 acre) parcel shown as Part 1 on the attached sketch at the price of $478,000.00;

(2)the City pay the owner's reasonable legal fees to complete this transaction; and

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

Background:

In 1994 - 1997, the City of Scarborough initiated a program to bring into public ownership lands within the valley of the Centennial Creek, a small watercourse which extends from Lake Ontario to Highway 401, between Port Union Road and Morningside Avenue. For much of its course the stream is unregulated by conservation authority regulations, and therefore the valley is in danger of being destroyed by filling to facilitate development. In 1996 Scarborough Council authorized negotiations with the owners of twenty properties to acquire a minimum 20m wide corridor centred upon the watercourse. These twenty properties were targeted for acquisition from a significantly larger number, based upon their proximity to development and their environmental sensitivity. To date all or part of ten properties have been purchased or have been approved for purchase. For two of these properties, including the subject, the acquisition of the City's requirements would leave little developable land remaining, and authority was therefore given to negotiate on the basis of a complete purchase. A summary of the status of the acquisitions is attached as Appendix 1.

Comments:

The owner of the subject property is Mary E.M. Bilkey. It is rectangular with frontage of 121.92m (400 ft.) on the south side of Bathgate Drive and frontage of 91.44m (300 ft.) on the east side of Meadowvale Road. Total area of the property is 1.02ha (2.52 acres).

The property is improved with a 127m² (1,365 ft²) bungalow. The existing tenancy should be assumed by the City until demolition of the house is required to permit re-naturalization of the watercourse.

The Official Plan designation for the property is Low Density Residential. The subject property is Zoned S - Single Family Residential, with development standards permitting the construction of one single-family dwelling per parcel of land with a minimum of 18m (59.05 ft.) frontage on a public street, and a minimum area of 929 m² (10,000 ft²).

The property was appraised by an independent appraiser at $478,000.00. Subject to the approval of Council, the owners have agreed to sell the property to the City for the appraised value. In addition, the City will be responsible for the owner's reasonable legal costs.

Conclusions:

The purchase of this property for the appraised value will enable the City to protect the Centennial watercourse, and approval of the transaction is recommended.

Contact Name:

R. Mayr, AACI, Director of Real Estate, Telephone (416) 396-4930, Fax (416) 396-4241

rmayr@city.scarborough.on.ca (cs98117.wpd)

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Appendix 1

Acquisitions Previously Approved:

Pending Negotiations

(A copy of the maps attached to the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the July 20, 1998, agenda of the Corporate Services Committee, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)