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6. PROPERTY ACQUISITION –
NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION – LEDBURY AVENUE/ALBION ROAD, OTTAWA
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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
That Council
approve:
1.
The acquisition in
fee simple of a vacant parcel of land consisting of approximately 7.40 ha owned
by the National Capital Commission, described as Lots 3 &
4, Plan 198, Part of Lots 5, 6 & 7, Plan 198, Part of Lot 2, Concession 3,
Rideau Front, Geographic Township of Gloucester, City of Ottawa, shown on the
attached Annex “A”, for the consideration of $1,830,000 plus GST, subject to
final survey and adjustments on closing.
2.
The funds in excess of $1,000,000 to be allocated from
the Cash in Lieu of Parkland Reserve Fund.
RECOMMENDATIONS DU COMITÉ
Que le Conseil approuve :
1. l’acquisition en fief simple d’un terrain vacant d’une superficie approximative de 7,40 hectares appartenant à la Commission de la capitale nationale, décrit comme les lots 3 et 4, plan 198, une partie des lots 5, 6 et 7, plan 198, et une partie du lot 2, concession 3, façade rivière Rideau, canton géographique de Gloucester, ville d’Ottawa, illustré à l’annexe A, moyennant la somme de 1 830 000 $ (TPS non comprise), sous réserve du levé final et de rectifications à la signature.
2. les fonds dépassant t
financier des frais relatifs aux terrains à vocation de parc. 1 million de
dollars seront alloués à partir du fonds de réserve du règlemen
DOCUMENTATION
1. Chief
Corporate Services Officer’s report dated 20 March 2006
(ACS2006-CRS-RPM-0032).
2. Extract of Draft Minute,
04 April 2006.
Report to/Rapport au :
Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee
Comité des services organisationnels et du
développement économique
and Council / et au Conseil
20 March 2006 / le 20 mars 2006
Submitted by/Soumis par : Greg Geddes, Chief Corporate Services Officer/
Contact Person/Personne ressource : Gordon MacNair, Acting Manager, Real Estate Services
Real Property Asset Management/Gestion des actifs
des biens immobiliers
(613) 580-2424 x21217, gordon.macnair@ottawa.ca
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Corporate Services
and Economic Development Committee recommend Council approve:
1. The acquisition in fee simple of a
vacant parcel of land consisting of approximately 7.40 ha owned by the National
Capital Commission, described as Lots 3 & 4, Plan 198,
Part of Lots 5, 6 & 7, Plan 198, Part of Lot 2, Concession 3, Rideau Front,
Geographic Township of Gloucester, City of Ottawa, shown on the attached Annex
“A”, for the consideration of $1,830,000 plus GST, subject to final survey and
adjustments on closing.
2. The funds in excess of $1,000,000 to be allocated from the Cash in Lieu of Parkland Reserve Fund.
RECOMMANDATIONS DU
RAPPORT
Que le Comité des services organisationnels et
du développement économique recommande au Conseil d’approuver :
1. l’acquisition
en fief simple d’un terrain vacant d’une superficie approximative de 7,40
hectares appartenant à la Commission de la capitale nationale, décrit comme les
lots 3 et 4, plan 198, une partie des lots 5, 6 et 7, plan 198, et une partie
du lot 2, concession 3, façade rivière Rideau, canton géographique de Gloucester,
ville d’Ottawa, illustré à l’annexe A, moyennant la somme de
1 830 000 $ (TPS non comprise), sous réserve du levé final et de
rectifications à la signature.
2. les fonds dépassant 1
million de dollars seront alloués à partir du fonds de réserve du règlement
financier des frais relatifs aux terrains à vocation de parc.
BACKGROUND
In 2004, Council approved the
Sportsfield Strategy Report (ACS2004-PEO-COM-004) prepared by the Parks and
Recreation Branch of the Community and Protective Services Department. This report outlined the Branch’s strategy
to address the overwhelming demand for sportsfields across the City.
Currently, sportsfield needs and
deficiencies are being addressed firstly through conversions and upgrading of
existing fields as capital costs can be minimized and the resulting increased
inventory can be secured relatively quickly.
This approach has been the Branch’s priority throughout 2005 and 2006
and will result in 19 field conversions, 2 soccer and 2 ultimate new field
developments; exclusive of new fields being financed and development through
new park growth and development charges.
Secondly, additional resources have been secured by Public Works and
Services Department (PWSD) to improve the quality of existing fields and
maintenance standards, permitting greater and longer use of play. The rehabilitation of fields that are in
unsatisfactory condition can be placed back into the inventory to ease the
unmet demand. Lastly, in order to
address the shortfall, the Branch is committed to acquiring, where possible,
additional lands for sportsfield development, either through purchase, land
exchange or partnership with local sports organizations.
Prior to the 19 February 2006, Health
Recreation and Social Services (HRSS) Committee meeting, members of Council
received an Information Previously Distributed memo (ACS2006-CPS-PAR-003),
entitled “Study of Potential Sportsfield Sites”. This item was deferred to the 6 April 2006 Committee meeting,
allowing an opportunity for the standing committee members to seek further
clarification. This report identifies potential candidate sites for sportsfield
development including the acquisition of the subject site should the
opportunity arise.
Needs Assessment
It is estimated by the Eastern Ontario District
Soccer Association and the Ottawa-Carleton Soccer Association an estimated
38,500 participate in the sport of soccer: 5,000 registered by the
Ottawa-Carleton Ultimate Association, 900 in the eastern Ontario Rugby League
and 5,000 in the Touch Football Ontario, National Capital Amateur Football
Association and Flag Football Ontario, all based and using fields in
Ottawa. The elevated participation
numbers and use is due in part to sportsfield trends whereby these activities
are a relatively affordable sport compared to other sports, the push towards a
healthy and more active lifestyle, greater female participation in sports, and
a more diverse City with cultural preferences increasing interest in such
sports. Soccer participation in Ottawa,
particularly at the competitive level, has increased over the past five years
and registration is expected to continue to grow. As identified in the Sportsfield Strategy, a total of 124 soccer
fields should be developed during the period to 2011. A total of 70 soccer fields are recommended for the Central
District for the period up to 2011 to respond to existing field deficiencies,
which does not include accommodation of new growth demand. Almost half of the organizations consulted
for the Sportsfield Strategy stated they have waiting lists or have turned away
potential players due to lack of field time.
The Strategy also recommends the City continue
to add ultimate fields on an annual basis to keep pace with demand. Given the
recent growth in the sport, it is recommended that the City and Ottawa-Carleton
Ultimate Association work co-operatively to monitor growth in registration in
the sport as a means to enable more effective planning for field requirements.
Rugby, as a growing sport, requires development
of new facilities. As recommended by
the Strategy, provision of a dedicated game and/or practice facility should be
located centrally, as players are located throughout the City of Ottawa
As the proportion of youth participation
increases, there will be a need to locate facilities that are accessible to
youth within their communities, by public transit as well as private vehicles.
DISCUSSION
In planning new sportsfield facilities,
geographic accessibility to multiple modes of transport is required. These facilities should be as accessible as
possible to all participant groups within the City, including youth, adults,
disabled persons, minority groups and lower income households.
The Sportsfield Strategy identified the central
area (urban area inside the greenbelt) with the largest deficiency in available
sportsfields for area residents. This
is not surprising given that older established communities provide few vacant
properties. As well, existing
properties are typically redeveloped for their highest and best use. Therefore, the opportunity for sportsfields
in the central area becomes a rare and unaffordable option.
The subject site is adjacent to the City’s existing Ledbury Park, that was the subject of a recent community effort to revitalize their park, by partnering with the private sector in building a new play area. It also involved refreshing the existing Ledbury Community building that houses community meetings and programs. Residents of the area would benefit from an expanded green space and sportsfields that could be allocated to sports leagues as well as the community. The potential exists to redevelop the two sites at the same time in order to maximize site efficiencies, expand the green open space and develop active sports.
At the request of Community and Protective
Services Department, Parks and Recreation Branch, negotiations with the
National Capital Commission (NCC) were undertaken. The subject parcel is located at the end of Albion Road North and
is municipally known as 1311 Ledbury Avenue, City of Ottawa. The parcel consists of 7.40 ha of vacant
land and is adjacent to the railway marshalling yards known as Walkley Yard.
The parcel is currently zoned UR – Urban Reserve. The purpose of this zone is
to, in part, permit a range of public, recreational and open space uses which
do not compromise the outcome of the secondary planning studies required to
determine the ultimate, major urban uses of this land. Permitted uses typically include, a botanical
garden, a building or use by a government institution or agency, a cemetery, a
day care, emergency service, museum and a park. A park use is consistent with the General Urban Area designation
within the City’s Official Plan.
Further, there is a restriction imposed by the
railway industry and supported by case law for lands abutting rail yards.
Typically, a 30 m zone of influence is imposed from the lot line to restrict
any development and further, a 300 m zone of influence from the lot line to
restrict residential development. The
subject site is effectively restricted from residential development as a
result.
An independent appraisal completed on behalf of
the City resulted in a market value estimate of $247,000/ha for the 7.40 ha
site. In addition, the
City reviewed two independent appraisals completed on behalf of the NCC each
resulting in a market value estimate of $247,000/ha. Negotiations with the NCC have resulted in an agreement to
purchase the parcel for the consideration of $1,830,000 subject to the City
completing its environmental and geotechnical due diligence with regard to this
site.
This acquisition is recommended for approval.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
The NCC has held the site as a vacant parcel
for many years. In the 1970’s both the City of Ottawa and the Regional
Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton used this site as a snow disposal
facility. The City has undertaken a
peer review of the Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessment Reports, prepared
on behalf of the NCC and have concluded there are no environmental issues of
concern for the subject site and the proposed park use. However, the City will be provided sixty
(60) days from the 12 April 2006 Council meeting, to complete their
environmental and geotechnical due diligence with regard to this site.
CONSULTATION
Sportsfield stakeholders were consulted in both the Sportsfield Strategy and the Potential Sportsfield Sites Study. The City will work with sports groups to identify partnership opportunities available for the development of these new fields. The Ward Councillor is aware of this recommendation.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Funding of $1,000,000 is available in the Parks and Recreation approved Capital Budget Project, Land Acquisition – Sportfields account. The remaining funds are available from the Cash in lieu of Parkland Reserve Fund.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Attached, as Annex “A” is a sketch showing the site to be acquired.
DISPOSITION
Following Council’s
approval, Real Property Asset Management and Legal Services Branches will
finalize the transaction.
