Proposed Lease for Children's Safety Village

Within McCowan Road Park Site, West Side

McCowan Road, South of CNR

(Ward 13 - Scarborough Bluffs)

The Corporate Services Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (November 20, 1998) from the Commissioner of Corporate Services:

Purpose:

To authorize the lease of a three acre portion of the McCowan Road Parks Site to Scarborough Children's Safety Village for a period of 20 years for the nominal consideration of $2.00per year.

Financial Implications:

None.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the City lease the area shown on the attached sketch to Scarborough Children's Safety Village for a period of 20 years for the nominal consideration of $2.00 per year;

(2)the City Solicitor be authorized to prepare and have executed the necessary documentation; and

(3)appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

The Scarborough Children's Safety Village is a community project to develop an educational facility to teach children about traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety for those in grades 1 to 8. The Steering Committee which was formed to develop the concept of the Village includes both the Public and Separate School Boards, the former Scarborough Works and Environment and Recreation, Parks and Culture Departments, the Toronto Police and community organizations.

On September 2, 1997, City of Scarborough Council approved in principle the establishment of a Children's Village in the City of Scarborough, and directed "up to three acres of City- owned land to be leased for ninety-nine (99) years at a rate of one dollar per year."

Comments:

A series of community meetings were held to consider various sites within the former City of Scarborough. A consensus has now been reached that the most appropriate location is within a 7.9ha City-owned property located on the west side of McCowan Road, south of Eglinton Avenue. Originally purchased for use as a works yard, the property is now designated for parks uses.

Scarborough Children's Safety Village has secured commercial financing for the project which is contingent upon the execution of a lease for the site.

The 1997 Council directive to lease "up to three acres" of City-owned land for 99 years was not site specific. In addition, a lease of greater than twenty years is considered to be a disposal under the Municipal Act, and would require that the lands be declared surplus and public notice of the intent to enter into the lease.

The Steering Committee for the Scarborough Children's Safety Village has agreed on the site and has also agreed that a twenty year term is acceptable. A term of 20 years will enable the City to enter into such an agreement without the need to declare the property surplus.

Conclusion:

The lease of approximately three acres as indicated on the attached sketch will enable the Scarborough Children's Safety Village to proceed with the project and will implement the direction received from the former Scarborough Council.

Contact Name:

Warren Poole, Telephone:. (416) 396-7700, Fax: (416) 396-4241

poole@city.scarborough.on.ca

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(A copy of the maps, Site Concept Plan, Proposed Floor Plan and the Elevation and Sections, attached to the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the December7, 1998, agenda of the Corporate Services Committee, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)