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Proposed Transfer of CN Land North of Fort York
to the City of Toronto (Ward 20 - Trinity Niagara)
The Administration Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (June 28, 1999) from the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services:
Purpose:
To propose that Council request the Minister of Transport to assist in expediting the transfer of surplus CN land on the north side of Fort York to the City to enhance the context of the Fort and its connections to the rest of the city.
Source of Funds:
Not applicable.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that City Council request the Minister of Transport to assist in expediting the transfer of surplus CN land on the north side of Fort York to the City of Toronto.
Background:
City Council, at its June 10, 1999 meeting, adopted a motion from Councillor Pantalone that staff report on what lands west of Bathurst Street and north of Fort York are not needed for railway purposes and can be conveyed for park purposes attached to the Fort York Historical District.
In addition, Councillor Pantalone has asked staff to report on the possibility of including the surplus rail lands north of Fort York in the purchase of Union Station and related Toronto Terminal Railway lands.
Comments:
(1) Surplus Land North of Fort York:
Fort York is the birthplace of Toronto and is a nationally designated historic monument. It has been hidden by rail corridors and the Gardiner Expressway and had its original site reduced by the encroachment of railways and other development over time.
CN staff have advised City Planning staff that there is a significant piece of land surplus to railway needs on the north side of Fort York, approximately as shown on the attached map. CN staff have met with City Planning and Heritage Toronto staff to establish a process for transferring the land to the City. CN requires a 35 foot setback from the southern rail of the main line for technical and security reasons and have asked the City to prepare mapping to indicate the exact land parcel to be transferred.
The transfer of these surplus rail lands on the north side of the Fort would:
(i) increase the size of the Fort’s grounds;
(ii) help restore some of the Fort’s original topography on its north side;
(iii) provide some of the area needed to restore the Fort’s northern walls and battlements in their original locations;
(iv) provide the space needed to run a trail along the north side of Fort York to connect to the Railway Lands linear park under the Bathurst Street Bridge and to the park land to the west; and
(v) provide land for an approach to a pedestrian and cycling bridge across the rail corridor to connect the Niagara neighbourhood to the Fort’s grounds and to the waterfront trails system.
(2) Incorporating the Transfer of Land to Fort York into the Union Station and Toronto Terminal Railways Land (TTR) Purchase Agreement:
Adding the Fort York lands to the Union Station and TTR lands transfer to the City is not feasible. The Union Station/TTR lands negotiations are complete and the agreement is drafted. CN has advised that it is not willing to amend the purchase agreement to include the lands north of Fort York.
Conclusion:
The transfer to the City of the CN land immediately north of Fort York, which has been determined by the Railway to be surplus to its needs, would enhance the grounds of Fort York and the potential to make connections to the Fort York grounds from parks and neighbourhoods, east, west and north of the Fort.
City Council should request the Minister of Transport to assist in expediting the transfer of these surplus lands to the City for their inclusion in the Fort York Historical District.
Contact Name:
Ian Cooper, Phone 392-7572, Fax 392-1330, E-mail icooper@toronto.ca
(A copy of the map attached to the foregoing report was forwarded to all Member of Council with the July 13, 1999, agenda of the Administration Committee and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
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