HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-13-116 - Cedar Hill Tower Lands
REPORT TO:Committee of the Whole
DATE OF MEETING:
June 24, 2013
SUBMITTED BY:
Lesley MacDonald, City Solicitor and Director of Legal
Services, (519)741-2267
PREPARED BY:
Lesley MacDonald, City Solicitor and Director of Legal
Services, (519)741-2267
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
N/A
DATE OF REPORT:
June 19, 2013
REPORT NO.: FCS-13-116
SUBJECT:Authorization to execute documentation with the Regional
Municipality of Waterloo to accept lands described as Part
Lot 48, Plan 393, as in A13921 and A45860, all of PIN
22503-0053 (LT) ( former Cedar Hill Water Tower site)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute documentation with the Regional
Municipality of Waterloo to accept and take title to the lands described as Part Lot 48, Plan 393,
as in A13921 and A45860, all of PIN 22503-0053 (LT) ( former Cedar Hill Water Tower site) for
$1.00 plus 50% of the cost of an environmental site assessment and preparation and filing of a
Record of Site Condition, to be used for purposes of a community garden, the acceptance of
which is subject to the MOE’s acknowledgement of a Record of Site Condition; said
documentation to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.
BACKGROUND:
Kitchener staff was approached by the Region to determine if the City was interested in taking
title to the former Cedar Hill water tower lands for the purposes of a neighbourhood park. With
the close proximity of Sandhills Park across the street and the small size of the water tower site,
staff determined that the site would not be an appropriate park site.
Following this discussion, the Region was contacted by the Multicultural Centre enquiring about
the site as a possible community garden. Through the Regions internal processes, the site was
given clearance as a potential community garden. It was then noted that the garden would be
better served in the community if the land was deeded to the city and the city dealt with the
garden as part of the garden inventory within the city.
REPORT:
Through dialogue with the Multicultural Centre and interested neighbourhood gardeners, it was
determined that interest in using the lands for the purpose of a community garden was greatly
supported. Following the environmental site assessment process, the city will work with the
neighbourhood to determine the garden layout of the site including accesses, walkways, water
supply and other amenities that would support a successful self-sustaining garden plots.
Upon the transfer of ownership, a neighbourhood meeting will occur to review concept plans for
the site and determine the supported plan. City crews will install proper soil amendments and
layout the garden plots. Once this is completed, the neighbourhood gardeners will maintain the
gardens with some seasonal support from the city through the years. This may include the
delivery of compost or woodchips as required.
This garden will run as a self-sustaining garden similar to existing gardens in Kitchener such as
the Queen Street and Victoria Street Community Gardens.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Land being donated to the City subject to the MOE’s acceptance of the Record of Site
Condition. City contributing 50% of the cost of an environmental site assessment and
preparation and filing of a Record of Site Condition.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Discussion with neighbours and interested parties undertaken and interest confirmed
CONCLUSION:
Community Services staff support the community use of this site and recommends the
acceptance of these lands for the purpose of a community garden.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Community Services
Department