HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-11-046 - Donation of Woodlot Lands (Tilt Bush) in the Doon1
Staff Re ort
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Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta
REPORT T0: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: May 30, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: Jim Witmer Director of Operations, ext. 4657
PREPARED BY: Peter Wetherup, Parks Planner, ext. 4403
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 4
DATE OF REPORT: May 13, 2011
REPORT NO.: INS-11-046
SUBJECT: DONATION OF WOODLOT LANDS (TILT BUSH) IN THE
DOON SOUTH COMMUNITY
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City of Kitchener accept the donation of 3.309 ha (8.18 acres) of land containing
a portion of a woodlot, known as Tilt's Bush, that is part of ESPA 30 (Strasburg
Floodplain Forest) and described as Part 4 of 58R16158 from Dave Gubler; and,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the required documentation to effect
the transfer of title, subject to the terms and conditions as are satisfactory to the City
Solicitor; and further,
That the City of Kitchener issues a charitable donation receipt to Dave Gubler for the
appraised value ($81,800.00) of the parcel of land.
BACKGROUND:
Strasburg Floodplain Forest (Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area #30) is comprised of
Strasburg Creek, its associated floodplain and adjacent wooded slopes.
The majority is held in City ownership and as the privately held parcels go through development
or become available, we attempt to secure them into City ownership.
REPORT:
During the subdivision process (30T-04209), the sub-divider chose to retain the woodlot in
private ownership along with the existing home at 230 Tilt Drive within the plan of subdivision.
The new owner of the subdivision is retaining the existing home property but would like to
convey the woodlot portion to the City.
The woodlot portion forms a part of the Environmentally Sensitive Policy Area #30 and would
fulfill the City's desire to acquire the natural heritage feature.
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Staff Re ort
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Krr~.~-~~,i~iER ~nfrastru~ture Servrces Department www.kitthenerta
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The protection of the Strasburg Floodplain Forest (ESPA 30) through acquisition of this parcel
addresses the Community Priority: Environment. This strategic direction directs us to "balance
the needs of a growing city with the need to protect our natural environment".
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The owner will convey the parcel to the City of Kitchener in exchange for a charitable donation
receipt for the appraised value of the parcel [$81,800.00].
The wooded parcel will become part of the open space inventory and be added to the City
maintenance schedule.
Acceptance will require that an additional $2000 per acre [a total of $16,360] for annual
maintenance be added to the operating budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The woodlot area was identified through the subdivision process (30T-04209) but was to be
held in private ownership as private open space.
The new owner has proposed to convey the parcel to the City rather than retain it as private
open space.
CONCLUSION:
Staff is in support of the proposal to convey the woodlot parcel to the City of Kitchener for
inclusion into the Strasburg Floodplain Forest (ESPA 30).
If fulfills the City's desire to acquire the natural heritage feature into public ownership.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services Department
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