9.       Sale of Land to the embassy of the people’s republic of china in canada – 517-519 st. patrick street


vente de terrain À l’ambassade de la rÉpublique populaire de chine – 517-519, rue st-patrick

 

 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

 

That Council approve the sale of a parcel of land, approximately 4,267 m2 (45,931 square feet) in area, described as being part of Lots 3, 4, 5 and A, Plan 12134, part of St. Andrew and Parliament Streets closed and part of the bed of the Rideau River, subject to any easements that may be required, to The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada, for the amount of $552,000 plus GST, pursuant to an Agreement of Purchase and Sale that has been received.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION DU COMITÉ

 

Que le Conseil approuve la vente d’une parcelle de terrain d’une surface approximative de 4 267 m2 (45 931 pieds carrés), décrite comme faisant partie des lots 3, 4, 5 et A, Plan 12134, des rues St-Andrew et Parliament fermées et du lit de la rivière Rideau, sous réserve de toute servitude qui pourrait être requise, à l’Ambassade de la République populaire de Chine au Canada pour la somme de 552 000 $, TPS en sus, conformément à la convention d’achat-vente reçue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Documentation

 

1.                  Chief Corporate Services Officer’s report dated 27 January 2006
(ACS2006-CRS-RPM-0028).

2.                  Extract of Draft Minute, 21 February 2006.

 

 

 

Report to/Rapport au :

 

Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee

Comité des services organisationnels et du développement économique

 

and Council / et au Conseil

 

27 January 2006 / le 27 janvier 2006

 

Submitted by/Soumis par : Greg Geddes, Chief Corporate Services Officer/

Chef des Services gènèraux

 

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Gordon MacNair, Acting Manager, Real Estate Services, Real Property Asset Management/ Gestionnaire par intérim, Services immobiliers, Gestion des biens immobiliers

(613) 580-2424 x 21217, Gordon.MacNair@ottawa.ca

 

Rideau – Vanier (12)

Ref N°: ACS2006-CRS-RPM-0028  

 

 

SUBJECT:

Sale of Land to the embassy of the people’s republic of china in canada – 517-519 st. patrick street

 

 

OBJET :

vente de terrain À l’ambassade de la rÉpublique populaire de chine – 517-519, rue st-patrick

 

 

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

 

That the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee recommend that Council approve the sale of a parcel of land, approximately 4,267 m2 (45,931 square feet) in area, described as being part of Lots 3, 4, 5 and A, Plan 12134, part of St. Andrew and Parliament Streets closed and part of the bed of the Rideau River, subject to any easements that may be required, to The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada, for the amount of $552,000 plus GST, pursuant to an Agreement of Purchase and Sale that has been received.

 

 

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

 

Que le Comité des services organisationnels et du développement économique recommande au Conseil d’approuver la vente d’une parcelle de terrain d’une surface approximative de 4 267 m2 (45 931 pieds carrés), décrite comme faisant partie des lots 3, 4, 5 et A, Plan 12134, des rues St-Andrew et Parliament fermées et du lit de la rivière Rideau, sous réserve de toute servitude qui pourrait être requise, à l’Ambassade de la République populaire de Chine au Canada pour la somme de 552 000 $, TPS en sus, conformément à la convention d’achat-vente reçue.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The subject property was acquired by the former City of Ottawa in the 1960s and 1970s during the Lowertown East Redevelopment Plan for realignment of St. Patrick Street.  In 1975, a portion of the residual lands from the St. Patrick Street realignment was leased to the Chinese Embassy for $1.00 in order not to landlock the property at 515 St. Patrick Street and to provide private access from the newly constructed realigned St. Patrick Street.  In 1992, the former City of Ottawa Council approved that the property be declared surplus and offered for sale to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada at market value.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

Negotiations with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada resulted in an offer in the amount of $552,000 to purchase the subject parcel (Annex “A”).  The intended use of the property is for the expansion of the existing parking for Embassy staff and visitors.  The zoning CG – Commercial General, will allow the intended use for a portion of the property.  The easterly portion of the property is zoned EW - Waterway Corridor and a rezoning and site plan amendment, at the expense of the Purchaser, would be required if the parking was expanded into this area.

 

As advocated in the Provincial Policy Statement and the City of Ottawa’s Official Plan (Section 4.7.3), any proposed development onsite would need to maintain sufficient setback from the Rideau River to prevent bank erosion and protect water quality.  The City will retain a 10m wide easement traversing east-west (Annex “B”) along the shore of the property to build a pedestrian pathway should the Embassy dispose of the property in the future.

 

The offer is consistent with an independent appraisal, which confirms that the purchase price is comparable with current market values for similar type properties in the area.  The offer is considered fair and reasonable and is recommended for acceptance. 

 

 

CONSULTATION

 

In accordance with policies approved by City Council on 14 November 2001, the availability of the property was circulated to all client City Departments, to determine if the parcel should be retained for a City mandated program.  Consultation included the Housing Branch, Public Works and Services and Planning and Growth Management Services.  The Environmental Management Group, within Planning and Growth Management Services, was consulted with respect to the Greenspace Master Plan and their comments are indicated under the Environmental Implications section of this report.  Neither the Housing Branch nor any other City Department expressed interest in retaining the property.

 

The utility companies were also circulated and no requirements were indicated.

 

Advisory Committees were not circulated in this instance because the circulation predated the new circulation practices.

 

The ward Councillor has been made aware of the intent to sell the subject property and supports staff’s recommendation.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

 

This parcel has not been identified as having ecological significance through City studies, such as the Urban Natural Areas Environmental Evaluation, and, therefore, the sale will not impact upon the City’s Greenspace Master Plan.  Maintenance of a pathway easement through the site and adherence to the City’s Official Plan policy for development setback from the Rideau River, will ensure longer-term community accessibility to, and protection of, the streambank and water quality of the Rideau River.

 

 

HOUSING FIRST POLICY

 

The Official Plan policy directs that the City make land available for affordable housing and give priority for the sale or lease of surplus City-owned property for this purpose. 

 

The Housing First Policy approved by Council on 13 July 2005, establishes priority consideration to the Housing Branch, in the identification of potentially surplus City-owned property, to be used in achieving the City’s affordable housing program targets.  The policy also requires that the Official Plan target of 25% affordable housing be met on any City-owned property sold for residential development.  Where viable, residential properties are disposed of without a condition requiring an affordable housing component, 25% of the proceeds from the sale are to be credited to a housing fund to be used for the development of affordable housing elsewhere in the City.

 

The subject City property is zoned General Commercial, therefore, does not meet the affordable housing criteria outlined in the Housing First Policy.

 

 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

 

This transaction represents a net revenue of $552,000 to the Corporation and will be credited to the City’s sale of Surplus Land Account.

 

 

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

 

Attached, as Annex “A” is a sketch showing the surplus property and Annex “B” showing the proposed pedestrian easement.

 

 

DISPOSITION

 

Following Council’s approval, Real Property Asset Management and Legal Services Branches will finalize the transaction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            Sale of Land to the embassy of the people’s republic of china in canada – 517-519 st. patrick street

vente de terrain À l’ambassade de la rÉpublique populaire de chine – 517-519, rue st-patrick

ACS2006-CRS-RPM-0028

 

Councillor Jellett indicated he was not opposed to the sale of this land.  However, he asked if staff, in cases such as this, look at the option of leasing the land out (i.e. the City would retain ownership).  Steve Finnamore, Director, Real Property Asset Management, advised the typical process for the rationalization of surplus property looks at all methods of disposal (e.g. leasing, direct sale, etc.).  In this case, the former City of Ottawa had leased this land to the Chinese Embassy and then in 1992 declared the land surplus and directed it be sold to the Chinese Embassy.  This report follows through on that commitment.  

 

That the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee recommend that Council approve the sale of a parcel of land, approximately 4,267 m2 (45,931 square feet) in area, described as being part of Lots 3, 4, 5 and A, Plan 12134, part of St. Andrew and Parliament Streets closed and part of the bed of the Rideau River, subject to any easements that may be required, to The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada, for the amount of $552,000 plus GST, pursuant to an Agreement of Purchase and Sale that has been received.

 

                                                                                                CARRIED