Land Acquisition - 3100 Weston Road
The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee recommends the adoption of the report dated June 1,
1998, from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.
The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee reports, for the information of Council, have requested the
appropriate representatives of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Parks and Recreation Department to
attend Councillor Mammoliti's community meeting on the land acquisition at 3100 Weston Road, prior to consideration by
City Council on July 8, 1998.
The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee submits the following report (June 1, 1998) from the
Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) financing in the amount of $325,000.00 be approved; this amount will be financed from the Parkland Acquisition
Reserve;
(2) funding, to a maximum of $325,000.00, be made available to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
for the purchase of land at 3100 Weston Road, subject to TRCA approval of the purchase; and
(3) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The Parkland Acquisition Reserve was established in 1980 to provide financing for the acquisition of parkland. One of the
primary focuses of this program since its inception, has been the acquisition of valleyland and waterfront properties.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Over the last year and a half, staff of the TRCA and this Department have attended a number of meetings and site visits
with officials from The Order of St. Basil The Great Holding Company (The Order) regarding the acquisition of part of The
Order's lands west of Weston Road, south of Sheppard Avenue. The Order owns approximately 74 acres of flood plain and
valleylands which includes a large pond and playing fields and approximately 57 acres of undeveloped valleylands.
The subject property is an important component of the Humber valley greenspace system. The acquisition is important for
flood control, environmental and public open space purposes. The acquisition will also enable the completion of an
important link in the Humber Trail, bringing the achievement of a continuous trail from the waterfront to Steeles Avenue
much closer to reality.
The TRCA has obtained appraisals for the property and inclusive of legal fees, land transfer fees and disbursements,
estimate the total cost to be $650,000.00. This amount would provide for the acquisition of the 57 acres of valleyland and a
permanent easement over .45 acres of land adjacent to Weston Road to access the valleylands. The City of Toronto's share
will be 50 percent of these costs to a maximum of $325,000.00. Funds are available in the Parkland Acquisition Reserve
account.
It is anticipated that acquisition of the property will be approved by the TRCA on June 26, 1998.
Conclusions:
The purchase of lands at St. Basil's will greatly benefit the Toronto parks system by bringing a significant greenspace
resource into public ownership.
The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer agrees that the acquisition outlined in this report is consistent with the statement
of purpose of the Parkland Acquisition Reserve and she concurs with the recommendations.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Frank Kershaw:
Tel: 392-8199
(A copy of the map referred to in the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the
Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee for its meeting on June 18, 1998, and a copy thereof is on file in the
office of the City Clerk.)
