STAFF REPORT
December 29, 1999
To: Administration Committee
From: Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services
Subject: Declaration as Surplus
Parcel of Land at the South-east Corner of Wilson Heights Boulevard and Model Avenue and Two Parcels on the East Side
of Wilson Heights Boulevard Between Goodwill and Ansford Avenues
Ward 8 (North York Spadina)
Purpose:
To secure authority to declare the properties surplus to municipal requirements.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Revenue will be generated from the eventual sale.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) the parcel of land located at south-east corner of Wilson Heights Boulevard and Model Avenue and the parcels on the
east side of Wilson Heights Boulevard between Goodwill and Ansford Avenues, identified as Parcels 1 and 2 respectively
on the attached sketch, be declared surplus to the City's requirements and offered for sale on the open market, and all steps
necessary to comply with By-law 551-98 be taken;
(2) the surplus designation on the parcel of land located on the east side of Wilson Heights Boulevard between Palm Drive
and Dresden Road, identified as Parcel 3 on the attached sketch, be rescinded and the parcel be placed under the
jurisdiction of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department for park purposes; and
(3) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
On July 29, 30 and 31, 1998, City Council adopted as amended Clause No. 2 of Corporate Services Committee Report No.
11 entitled "Expediting the Disposal of Property and Reduction of Leased Space" thereby recommending that the
marketing of 12 surplus properties, six of which are located on Wilson Heights Boulevard, north of Wilson Avenue, be
delayed for 120 days to investigate their utilization for affordable housing purposes. One of the six Wilson Heights
Boulevard properties, identified as Parcel 3 on the attached sketch, is located on the east side of Wilson Heights Boulevard
between Palm Drive and Dresden Road and was declared surplus by the former Metro Council on June 3, 1980, (Clause
No. 9 of Transportation Committee Report No. 9) and on November 24 and 25, 1987 (Clause No. 4 of Transportation
Committee Report No. 15).
In investigating the utilization for affordable housing purposes, it was concluded that the Wilson Heights Boulevard
properties would yield only a small number of units and that it would be better to sell these properties for full market value.
On October 1 and 2, 1998, City Council adopted as amended Clause No. 19 of Corporate Services Committee Report No.
13, entitled "A Preliminary Review of the 12 Surplus Properties Directed by Council to be held In Abeyance for 120 Days
Pending a Review to Determine the Feasibility of Development for Affordable Housing" thereby recommending no further
action be taken with respect to the Wilson Heights Boulevard properties, until such time as a public meeting could be held
with the community in order to receive input from residents.
Comments:
A public meeting was held on April 7, 1999 to receive input from the area residents with respect to the future disposition of
the six properties located on the east side of Wilson Heights Boulevard, north of Wilson Avenue. Area residents voiced
their concerns about the sale and development of the parcel of land identified as Parcel 3 and indicated the preference of
more parkland in the area.
As a result, Parks staff investigated the feasibility of utilitzing Parcel 3 as a park site and have advised that Parcel 3 which
is comprised of 4,533 square metres (48,794 square feet) is suitable for community park purposes. Parcels 1 and 2 would
be better suited for residential development as these parcels are not consolidated nor of a configuration considered to be
desirable for use as parkland.
A circulation to the City's Agencies, Boards, Commissions and Departments was undertaken to ascertain whether or not
there is any other municipal interest in retaining Parcels 1 and 2 located on the east side of Wilson Heights Boulevard
between Model and Ansford Avenues. No interest was expressed in retaining these parcels. Accordingly, this report
recommends that Parcels 1 and 2 be declared surplus to municipal requirements and offered for sale on the open market.
This report also recommends that the surplus designation on Parcel 3 be rescinded and the parcel be placed under the
jurisdiction of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department for park purposes. The Property Management
Committee has reviewed this matter and concurs with the recommendations of this report.
Details of the properties to be declared surplus and sold are as follows:
Subject Properties: Parcel 1 - s/e/c Wilson Heights Boulevard and Model Avenue
Parcel 2 - e/s Wilson Heights Boulevard, between Goodwill and Ansford Avenue
Legal Description: Parcel 1 - Part Lots 139 and 140, Registered Plan 3293
Parcel 2 - Part Lots 5, 6, 7, 51, 52, 53, Registered Plan 3471
Approximate Site Area: Parcel 1 - 528 m2 (5,683.5 square feet)
Parcel 2 - 2,740 m2 (29,494.1 square feet)
Zoning: R4
Official Plan RD1 - Residential Density One
In order to proceed with disposal of the Parcels 1 and 2, the City must comply with the procedures governing disposal of
property. Section 193(4) of the Municipal Act requires that, before selling any property, Council must declare the properties
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 obtain at least one appraisal of the market value of the properties, unless exempted by regulations passed under the
legislation.
Conclusions:
As no municipal interest has been expressed in retaining the parcel of land at the south-east corner of Wilson Heights
Boulevard and Model Avenue and the two parcels on the east side of Wilson Heights Boulevard between Goodwill and
Ansford Avenues, identified as Parcels 1 and 2 respectively, City Council should declare these parcels surplus to the City's
requirements and offer them for sale on the open market.
As the Palm Drive/Dresden Road parcel of land, identified as Parcel 3, provides an opportunity for a park site, City
Council should rescind the surplus designation and place the parcel under the jurisdiction of the Economic Development,
Culture and Tourism Department.
Contact:
Carla Inglis; 392-7212; Fax No.: 392-1880; cinglis@toronto.ca (ac0-004.doc)
Brenda Glover
Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services
