Declaration as Surplus - Parcel of Land at then

South East Corner of Wilson Heights Boulevard

Model Avenue and Two Parcels on the East Side

of Wilson Heights Boulevard Betwen Goodwill

and Ansford Avenues (Ward 8 - North York Spadina)

The Administration Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (December 29, 1999) from the Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services:

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side of Wilson Heights Boulevard between Palm Drive and Dresden Road, identified as Parcel 3 on the attached sketch, be rescinded and the parcel be placed under the jurisdiction of the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department for park purposes; an

(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 Report No. 11 of The Corporate Services Committee, 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 Report No. 9 of The Transportation Committee) and on November 24 and 25, 1987 (Clause No. 4 of Report No. 15 of The Transportation Committee)

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 Report No. 13 of The Corporate Services Committee, 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 utilizing 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 Avenu

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;

(A copy of the map attached to the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the January 11, 2000, agenda of the Administration Committee, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)