May 4, 1999
To:Corporate Services Committee
From:Commissioner of Corporate Services
Subject:Declaration as Surplus - The Closed Public Lavatory Located Beneath the Public Lane Known as Mayfair Mews
at Bloor and Bay Streets
(Ward 23 - Midtown)
Purpose:
To secure authority to declare the lands comprising the closed underground public lavatory, beneath the lane known as
Mayfair Mews, surplus to municipal requirements.
Financial Implications:
Revenue will be generated from the eventual sale.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)to comply with the requirements of By-law 551-1998, the lands comprising the closed underground public lavatory be
declared surplus and offered for sale to the adjacent property owners, subject to the stopping up and strata closing of the
public lane and easement protection for utilities; and
(2)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect to the foregoing.
Background:
Pursuant to an agreement entered into with the developers of 2 Bloor Street West, a public washroom was constructed at
the below grade pedestrian mall connection between Nos. 2 and 60 Bloor Street West, physically situated beneath the
public lane known as Mayfair Mews.
In 1988, attempts were made to lease the facility to the owners of 2 Bloor Street West for operation as a public washroom.
However, the problems associated with this facility from a security and operations point of view, did not warrant the
expense that would be incurred by owners of 2 Bloor Street West should they assume its operation. The former City of
Toronto Council on June 17, 1991 [Executive Committee Report No.14, City Services Committee Report No. 8, Clause
48], in accordance with it's policy on public washrooms [Executive Committee Report No.35, Clause 50, City Council
October 3, 1988] approved the permanent closure of the facility.
Comments:
The public washroom, accessed from the lower level of Cumberland Terrace shopping mall, contains a gross floor area of
approximately 810.5 square feet (75.3 m2). The space can be converted and used as retail space under the existing zoning.
A poll was undertaken of the City's departments, agencies, boards and commissions to determine if there exists any
municipal interest in retaining the public lavatory. No interest was expressed. However, City Works & Emergency Services
advised that as the facility lies within a public lane, a strata closing of the public lane and easement protection for utilities is
required as a condition of sale. The Property Management Committee has recommended the disposal of the property.
In order to proceed with a sale of property, the City must comply with the procedures governing disposal of property.
Section 193(4) of the Municipal Act requires that, before the selling of any property, Council must declare the property to
be surplus by by-law or resolution passed at a meeting open to the public, give notice to the public of the proposed sale and
must obtain at least one appraisal of the market value of the property, unless exempted by regulations passed under the
legislation.
Conclusion:
In order to proceed with the disposal of these lands, City Council should declare the lands surplus to the City's
requirements.
Contact Name:
Carla Inglis, 392-7212, Fax: 392-1880, cinglis@toronto.ca, (cs99084.wpd)
Margaret Rodrigues
Commissioner, Corporate Services
