Request to Purchase Property Abutting

169 Hopedale Avenue

 The Corporate Services Committee recommends the adoption of the Recommendations of the East York Community Council embodied in the following communication (May 29, 1998) from the City Clerk:

 Recommendation:

 The East York Community Council on May 27, 1998, recommended to the Corporate Services Committee, the following:

 (1)that the land abutting 169 Hopedale Avenue be declared surplus;

 (2)acceptance of the offer to purchase the City-owned lands abutting 169 Hopedale Avenue; and

 (3)that, if the City of Toronto agrees to sell this land, any proceeds from the sale be used exclusively and uniquely to improve Arthur Dyson Parkette.

 The East York Community Council reports for the information of the Corporate Services Committee that it received the report (February 2, 1998) from the Acting Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Operations, East York, and the communications (May 26, 1998) from Mr. Nick Antonoglou, East York and (May 24, 1998) from Ms. Anne Allin, East York.

 Background:

 The East York Community Council, at its meeting on May 27, 1998, had before it a report (February 2, 1998) from the Acting Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Operations, East York, requesting input on a real estate matter concerning lands abutting 169 Hopedale Avenue.

 The East York Community Council also had before it the following communications:

 -(May 26, 1998) from Mr. Nick Antonoglou, East York; and

 -(May 24, 1998) from Ms. Anne Allin, East York.

 The following persons appeared before the East York Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter:

 -Mr. Alfred Lamprecht, East York;

-Ms. Anne Allin, East York; and

-Mrs. Helen Lamprecht, East York.

 (Report dated February 2, 1998, from the Acting

Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Operations,

addressed to the East York Community Council.)

 Purpose:

 To provide opportunity for Community Council input into a real estate matter concerning lands requested for purchase abutting 169 Hopedale Avenue.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 A request has been forwarded through staff and Councillor Prue to consider the sale of an additional 30.57 square metres to the abutting property owner at 169 Hopedale Avenue. These lands form part of Arthur Dyson Parkette and are shown as Part 2 in the attached reference plan. The following report will be forwarded to the Corporate Services Committee with comments from the East York Community Council.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that:

 (1)The City of Toronto decline the offer to purchase city-owned lands abutting 169 Hopedale Avenue; and

 (2)the appropriate City officials be authorized to give effect thereto.

 Council Reference/Background/History:

 In 1992, the owner of 169 Hopedale Avenue offered to purchase an abutting parcel of land of approximately 18.6 to 27.9 square metres (200-300 square feet). Council for the Borough of East York offered these lands for sale in May 1992, but the purchaser did not complete the transaction. In April 1997, the owner of 169 Hopedale Avenue once again requested purchase of the abutting land and requested a slightly larger parcel. Based on this request, and the previous history of approval, in August 1997, the Council for the former Borough of East York declared lands in the amount of approximately 51.1 square metres (550 square feet) to be surplus and offered these lands for sale to the abutting owner. A reference plan was submitted by the surveyor retained by the purchaser which showed lands in the amount of 74.32 square metres (800 square feet). Based on concerns from the solicitor and the Parks, Recreation and Operations Department, the reference plan was revised to show Part 1 at 51.1 square metres (550 square feet) and Part 2 at 30.57 square metres (329 square feet). Part 1 was conveyed to the abutting owner on January 5, 1998.

 Discussion

 The Parks, Recreation and Operations Department for the community of East York cannot support the sale of this additional property. The parks planning area in which the subject property is located is significantly deficient in parkland provision (0.9 acres per 1,000 population) when compared to other planning areas within the community of East York and within the City of Toronto as a whole. Further reduction, however minor, of public greenspace as afforded by Arthur Dyson parkette is not recommended.

 Support for the sale of Part 1 was provided by the Parks, Recreation and Operations Department on the basis that Council had previously approved the sale and that an existing tree would not be impacted by a relocated property line. Although not shown on the reference plan an existing tree in Arthur Dyson Parkette will be negatively impacted by a property line relocated to the boundary of Part 2.

 Conclusions:

 The offer to purchase Part 2 of Plan 66R-17783 should be declined by the City Council based on the lands current and future use as public greenspace. The Interim Lead for Real Estate (Cathie MacDonald) has reviewed this matter and concurs with the recommendations herein.

 Contact Name:

 Mark Davies778-2188Fax:466-4170

Director of Facilities, Projects and Property

Community of East York

 (A copy of the location map attached to the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the June 22, 1998, agenda of the Corporate Services Committee and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)