Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-66-90 UNFINISHED BUSINESS TOWN OF NEWCASTLE r REPORT Fi le #It Res. # By-Law # SING: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE DATE: JUNE 17, 1991 REPORT #: WD-66-90 ADDENDU TILE #: SECT: REQUEST FROM BEGAS DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED TO OPEN THE ROAD ALLOWANCE BETWEEN LOTS 18 AND 19, SOUTH OF CONCESSION ROAD 6, FORMER CLARKE TOWNSHIP (PATTERSON ROAD) RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report WD-66-90 and WD-66-90 ADDENDUM be received; 2 . THAT the request by Becas Developments Limited to open the road allowance and construct a road to Town of Newcastle standards between Lots 18 and 19, south of Concession Road 6 , former Township of Clarke, be approved, in accordance with Town Policy and subject to the applicant satisfying all conditions of the Town, financial and otherwise; 3 . THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement between Becas Developments Limited and the Town of Newcastle to permit Becas Developments to construct a road on the unopened road allowance for approximately 484 . 63 m ( 1,590 feet) in accordance with Town Standards (Attachment No. 7) ; 4 . THAT the Town Solicitor be instructed to prepare the agreement and that the agreement include, but not be restricted to, .the items set out in Schedule 'A' (Attachment No. 6) ; . . .2 L� "7 i REPORT NO. : WD-66-90 ADDENDUM PAGE 2 5 . THAT the Clerk be directed to take all actions necessary to publicize and give notice of the proposed by-law to establish and layout the road allowance between Lots 18 and 19, Concession 5, former Township of Clarke, south of Concession Road 6 for approximately 485 m ( 1,590 feet) ; and 6 . THAT the applicant, Mr. Peter Caspari, the applicant's consultant, G. M. Sernas & Associates Limited, Mr. and Mrs . S. Heggie, Mr. and Mrs . G. Lengyel and Mr. and Mrs. A. Van Belle be advised of Council's decision. --------------------------------------------------------------------- REPORT 1.0 ATTACHMENTS No. l: Report WD-66-90 dated July 9, 1990 No.2: Resolutions made at the General Purpose and Administration Committee at a Regular Meeting held on July 9, 1990 No. 3: Correspondence dated January 25, 1991, from Dennis Hefferon No.4 : Correspondence dated May 7, 1991, from Dennis Hefferon No.S: Minutes of a Meeting Held on April 3, 1991 No. 6 : Schedule 'A' No. 7 : Cross-section to be Used for the Design of the Road 2.0 BACKGROUND 2 . 1 At a regular meeting held on July 16, 1990, Council passed Resolution #C-496-90: "THAT Report WD-66-90 be referred back to staff for receipt of a legal opinion pertaining to the financial ramifications to the Town should these lands change ownership. " . . .3 REPORT NO. : WD-66-90 ADDENDUM PAGE 3 3.0 REVIEW AND COMMENT 3 . 1 The reply from the solicitor to Resolution #C-496-90 was received on January 25, 1991 (Attachment No. 3) . Following receipt of the letter from Mr. Hefferon, a meeting was held on April 3, 1991, with the owners of property abutting the project and with Mr. B. Kawun, G. M. Sernas & Associates (See minutes, Attachment No.4) . 3 .2 Discussions held at the meeting on April 3, 1991, indicated that the following problems still needed resolution: i * TREES: Clause 4 In his letter dated May 7, 1991, Mr. Hefferon advised that the Town does not have the legal authority to act as the "banker" for the payment of trees . Clause 4 of Schedule 'A' has been amended to provide that the monies be paid directly by Becas Developments to Mr. and Mrs. S. Heggie & to Mr. & Mrs. A. Lengyel. Also the amount has been revised from $14,000 to $15,729 to allow for inflation and the G.S.T. * Installation of an Entrance and Gate Into the Heggie Property It was agreed that an entrance and a gate shall be constructed at the Heggie property at a location to be determined by Mr. Heggie. * Location of the Centreline of the Road It was agreed that the centreline of the road will be constructed on the centreline at the road allowance. Schedule 'A' has been amended accordingly. * Alignment of the Fences It was agreed that the fences shall be constructed on the property line/limit of the road allowance and shall not deviate from the property line to go around trees, boulders, etc . . . .4 II REPORT NO. : WD-66-90 ADDENDUM PAGE 4 * Placement of the Wood, Stone and Topsoil The locations for the placement of the wood from the trees, the stone from the fence lines and the topsoil was discussed. Schedule 'A' has been amended to reflect the agreement reached on the above items . * Resolution of Council The concern raised by Council in Resolution #C-496-90 has been reviewed and reported on by our solicitor (Attachment No. 3 and No.5) . My understanding of the concern of the owners of the abutting properties is that they believe that the applicant intends to sell the property which he owns and/or develop a business of selling water from a spring located on his property. The owners of property abutting the project have suggested that a clause be included in the agreement that if the property owned by Mr. Caspari is sold prior to the completion of the road construction the agreement be considered null and void. They have also suggested that a clause be included in the agreement to prohibit the applicant from developing a business of selling spring water from a spring located on his property. I have carefully considered both these issues and based on Mr. Hefferon's advice, I am not prepared to recommend that a clause be included in the agreement to deal with the issues in the manner requested by the owners of the abutting properties . * Advance Copy of Report to the General Purpose and Administration Committee It was agreed that all interested parties would be provided with a copy of this report in advance of the meeting of the Committee. . . .5 REPORT NO. : WD-66-90 ADDENDUM PAGE 5 All interested parties have been provided with a copy of the draft of this report to give them an opportunity to provide input, have been provided with a copy of the final report and have been advised that if they wish to appear as a delegation before the General Purpose and Administration Committee they must advise the Clerk, Patti Barrie, prior to noon, Wednesday, June 12 . Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation to the Committee, ---------------------- -- ---- - ----------------- Walter A. Evans, P.Eng. , Lawrence E Kotseff, Director of Public Works Chief Admi strative Officer WAE*llv May 30, 1991 Attachments pc: G. M. Sernas & Associates Ltd. Mr. & Mrs . G. Lengyel 110 Scotia Court R.R. #1 Unit 41 Kendal, Ontario Whitby, Ontario LOE lE0 L1N 8Y7 Attention: B. Kawun Mr. & Mrs . S. Heggie R. R. #1 Mr. & Mrs . A. Van Belle Kendal, Ontario R. R. #1 LOE 1E0 Kendal, Ontario LOE 1E0 Becas Developments Limited 2900 Yonge Street Suite 902 Toronto, Ontario M4N 3N8 Attention: P. Caspari President i TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT Res. # By-Law # hEFTING: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE V i DATE: JULY 9, 1990 REPORT #: WD-66-90 FILE #: SU&JEC'. REQUEST FROM BECAS DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED TO OPEN THE ROAD ALLOWANCE BETWEEN LOTS 18 AND 19, SOUTH OF CONCESSION ROAD 6, FORMER CLARKE TOWNSHIP (PATTERSON ROAD) RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report WD-66-90 be received; 2. THAT the request by Becas Developments Limited to open the road allowance and construct a road to Town of Newcastle standards s between Lots 18 and 19, south of Concession Road 6, former Township of Clarke, be approved, in accordance with Town Policy and subject to the applicant satisfying all conditions of the Town, financial and otherwise; �-. 3. THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement s between Becas Developments Limited and the Town of Newcastle to allow Becas Developments to construct a road on the unopened road allowance for approximately 484 . 63 m ( 1,590 feet) in accordance :. with Town Standard (Attachment No.5) and the conditions set out in Schedule 'A' (Attachment No. 3) ; and -- ATTACHMENT N19 , 1 WD-66-90 ADDENDUM 'LL - Ili REPORT NO. : WD-66-90 PAGE 3 2 . 3 The applicant has agreed to enter into an agreement with the Town to build the road to the Town's standards, satisfy all financial requirements and comply with all legal requirements . The applicant has further agreed to perform certain works requested by abutting property owners as part of the contract. I 2 .4 There are three abutting property owners on Patterson Road; Mr. & Mrs. Lengyel, Mr. & Mrs . Van Belle and Mr. & Mrs . Heggie (Attachment No. 1) . All property owners were contacted to determine their interest or concerns with respect to opening the road allowance abutting their properties . All abutting owners originally objected to the opening of the road and expressed concerns about the effects the opened road would have on their properties, both financial and otherwise. 2 .5 Meetings were arranged to discuss those concerns with the applicant at which time the owners submitted certain requests . Times and Dates of Meetings : October 20, 1989 - 11: 00 a.m. Meeting with Mr. Heggie November 27, 1989 - 2 : 30 p.m. All attended March 7, 1990 - 2 :00 p.m. Mr. & Mrs . Van Belle (not available) Mr. & Mrs . Lengyel Mr. & Mrs . Heggie , . June 14, 1990 - 2 :00 p.m. Mr. & Mrs. Lengyel 7 :00 p.m. Mr. & Mrs . Heggie Mr. & Mrs . Van Belle 4 2 . 6 Public Works is not able to recommend that all requests of the 4 abutting owners be satisfied. However, we have recommended that } the developer, Mr. Caspari, be responsible to build the road to the standard set out by the Town and restoration be completed to a standard the same as if the construction project was being completed by a contract awarded by the Town. Mr. Caspari has agreed to supply and perform certain other works requested by the Y abutting property owners . . . .4 i REPORT NO. : WD-66-90 PAGE 5 5) Topsoil Topsoil not used for ditches will be distributed to adjacent property owners. The contractor will deposit excess topsoil on adjacent property owners' land on a location designated by the owners. 3 .2 The abutting property owners submitted the following requests and the Director agreed the requests would be dealt with as part of this report: 1) Replacement of Existing Farm Fence The existing farm fence is 2-3 metres inside the proposed road allowance in most areas. Recommendation: : It is recommended that Becas Developments Limited replace the existing fence on both sides of the road allowance with a farm type fence for the distance of the construction at his expense. This recommendation is- based on the Town's position with respect to restoration. If the Town were constructing f" the road and there was evidence a fence existed, the fence C_ would be replaced, on the property line, in accordance with Ontario Provincial Standard 901.01. 2) Fencinct Y.y That Becas Developments construct a fence along the southern border of Mr. Heggie's property adjoining the Becas property. Recommendation: The Public Works Department does not support this request because it is external to the construction of the road. It is therefore, recommended that this be dealt with between the property owners and not included in the agreement with the Town. At a previous meeting Mr. Caspari agreed to share the cost of a mutually agreeable farm fence to be established by legal survey between the properties. i r . . .6 i REPORT NO. : WD-66-90 PAGE 7 I It was also agreed that Mr. Lengyel and Mr. Heggie would make their own arrangements to have the trees supplied and planted on their property and submit an invoice to the Town. A copy of the invoice from.the nursery which supplied and planted the trees will be provided to the Town and that the Town will pay the nursery. The $14,000 is to be proportioned as follows: Frontage of the Lengyel property 990 feet Frontage of the Heggie property 499 feet TOTAL 1,489 feet i . (- Money available for the supply and planting of trees on s the Lengyel property is: � . 990 x $14,000 = $9,308 1,489 } Money available for the supply and planting of trees on } the Heggie property is: t' 499 x $14,000 = $4,692 1,489 TOTAL $14,000 :s Recommendation: That the agreement with Becas Developments provide for $14,000, to be paid out by the Town, to Mr. Lengyel and Mr. Heggie upon receiving a copy of the invoice from the nursery for the supply and planting of the trees. 3 . 3 The matters of building permits, zoning and future use of Caspari lands were discussed. Mr. Heggie requested assurance that the zoning on the Becas property would remain unchanged. The property owners were advised that all applications for rezoning must be considered and that no assurance can be given that the use of the land will not change. e Q . . .8 REPORT NO. : WD-66-90 9 PAGE 9 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 6 . 1 THAT the request by Becas Developments Limited to open the road allowance and construct a road to Town of Newcastle standards between Lots 18 and 19 , south of Concession Road 6, former Township of Clarke, be approved, in accordance with Town Policy and subject to the applicant satisfying all conditions of the Town, financial and otherwise; 6 .2 THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement between Becas Developments Limited and the Town of Newcastle to allow Becas Developments to construct a road on the unopened road allowance for approximately 484 .63 m (1,590 feet) in accordance with Town Standard (Attachment No.S) and the conditions set out in Schedule 'A' (Attachment No.3) ; and 6 .3 THAT Mr. Kelvin Whalen, G. M. Sernas & Associates, Engineering Consultants for the applicant, Mr. P. Caspari, Mr. & Mrs. Heggie, Mr. & Mrs . Lengyel and Mr. & Mrs . Van Belle be advised of Council's decision. 4 i 4- s k., . . . 10 1 ) U i I LOT 19 LOT 18 j COK 6 CON 6 CONC. RD. 6 GENE 8 STEVEN RUDOLF St MARIA HEGGIE HARIETTA LENGYEL BOT i 3-5-079-15 3-5-079-02 3-5-079-09 v= O O to E to eb V' REQUESTED s - OPENING BETTY HEGGIE 3-5-079-01 ALBERT VANBELLE 3-5-081 BECAS DEVELOPMENTS w LTD. 0 3-5-079 0 Qo cc a � o w a z � af co a cn a w (, a ! _ & >- � z AL ci 8a: & w t� C NC. RD. 6 I 3 II °' SUBJECT t / SITE o u m � L W & DATE= JUNE 1990 DRAWN BY= D.G. = I CbNC. 5 1 1 TT-r—T� ATTACRIlENT NO, 1 KEY MAP I'ID-66-90 i page 2 WD-22-89 2.0 BACKGROUND 2.1 On September 8, 1988 a letter from Mr. R.D. Webster was received requesting, on behalf of Becas Development Limited, approval to open the road allowance between lots 18 and 19 south of the road allowance between Concessions 5 and 6, former Township of Clarke. (See Attachment No.l) 2.2 The request was discussed with Mr. Webster and it was agreed to defer dealing with the request until early in 1989. 3.0 REVIEW AND COMMENT 3.1 At the present time, the property owned by Becas Developments Limited (Refer to sketch attached to letter from Mr. Webster) is land locked and , a building permit cannot be obtained until the road is constructed, to the Town's standards, from the road allowance between Concession 5 and 6, southerly to his property. 3.2 In his letter, Mr. Webster states that his client is prepared to complete 3-}r� n�^i-ssary engineering, complete construction to the standards of the '~ -•!- , w-7bioiny applicable drainage works, to allow for the insuance of a buildi.ng permit for the construction of a summer residence on the above-noted property. ' 3.3 The Planning Department has advised that once the road has been constructed to the Town's standards, a building permit would be available for a summer residence. 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 4.1 It is, therefore, recommended that the request made by Mr. R.D. Webster on behalf of Becas Developments Limited, to open the road allowance between lots 18 and 19, south of the road allowance between Concessions 5 and 6, former Township of Clarke be approved subject to Becas Developments Limited satisfying all the requirements of the Town, financial and otherwise. "- Respectfully submitted, Recom �e,,d. -i •.-)r pr e sen tation _ to t9' Com ,ttee, f �.� � __ J _t Walter A. Evans, P. Eng. , Lawrence 1E. 0tseff, Director of Public Works. Chief Administrative Officer. i TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT File # Res. # By-Law # EKING: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION MEETING i DATE: FEBRUARY 6, 1989 EPORT #: WD-22-89 ADDENDUM FILE #: � �• REQUEST FROM BECAS DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED TO OPEN THE ROAD ALLOWACCE BETWEEN LOT 18 AND 191 SOUTH OF THE ROAD ALLOWANCE BETWEEN CONCESSION 5 AND 6, FORMER TOWNSHIP OF CLARKE I 'ECOMMENDATIONS: t , It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: r- F 1. THAT Report WD-22-89 ADDENDUM be received; and r ° 2. THAT Report WD-22-89 be lifted from the table and approved. REPORT 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 At a meeting of the General Purpose and Administration Committee held L on January 23, 1989, Report WD-22-89 was tabled to permit the addition of a plan showing the location of the proposed road opening. 2.0 REVIEW AND COMMENT LF" 2.1 Attached to this report is Attachment No.l which shows the location of s the proposed road opening and Attachment No.2 which shows the property ownerships adjacent to the proposed road opening. - ' 2 5 6 ATTACHPUT NO, 2B . . .2 V IJ-66-90 f R O U 9 C:� o o o0:� I 0 Q o - CD cr tp- m o C] oc 0 Z a J Q _ S J J71 C NC. R0.w , - o 5 lTE Lo C.AT 10 N CC Q Q l w w w o nQ o a 3 o z c� w cr- _ C. ".RD1 5 f� C) .� J z C J .. X a: >!f � � o Q a o 0 CON JR - 41 rr LL o li = O COWA 4 TEI o Q Q 0 ° (9- ATTACHIMEIT NO , I � , 25 24 23 22 21 20 9 18 17 16 WD-22-89 ADDENDUM i SCHEDULE 'A' 1. COSTS The applicant agrees to pay all costs associated with the construction of the road. 2. PORTABLE WASHROOMS The applicant will make provision in the contract for the contractor to provide portable washrooms for construction personnel. 3. WOOD FROM TREES The applicant will make provision in the contract that the contractor will supply wood cut from the road allowance to the abutting property owners. The wood is to be cut in four foot (4 feet) lengths and delivered to a specified location satisfactory to the property owners. The wood is to be divided in equal portions. to those property owners who request it. 4. PLANTING OF TREES That Becas Developments provide $14,000 for the planting of trees on the Lengyel and on the Heggie properties. These funds will be held by the Town and will be paid to Mr. Lengyel and Mr. Heggie upon receipt of an invoice from a nursery or other supplier for the supply and planting of the trees on the property. These funds are to be distributed in the amount of a maximum of $9,308 to Mr. and Mrs. Lengyel and a maximum of $4,692 to Mr. and Mrs. Heggie. 5. TOPSOIL Topsoil not used for ditches will be distributed to adjacent property owners. The contractor will deposit excess topsoil on adjacent property owners' land on a location designated by the € owners. 6. STABILIZATION OF LAND Agreement specifies seed where possible. Sod will be used if erosion is considered a problem. t 7. FENCING �. The applicant will make provision to have a farm type fence erected in accordance with the Ontario Provincial Standard 901.01 on both i sides of the road for the distance of the construction. 8. STONE 4, The applicant will make provision in the contract to have f ield stone delivered to a specified location satisfactory to Mr. Heggie. ATTAN E-9 NO. 3 M-66-90 3Nn ki-83d08d = Ln Z o 0 0 o di o E W Z 0-) z E W U CO 0 0 z Q c0 o _ M U w E � ►�- O_ w ' ON2i tutu 009 Q 1, m m .i Y N N O d w m Y JD � � U•d O 44 id \' m 13.E to tM Od. 4� cen (0 M CV x a N w m i• 01 0 Q.O m o M O 0 m N 0 +t U +� O -• A m t. _ t• b+ m 0 W _ t m N+J F+3 Q N V � to o N m N�- O Q N a4 N N � a H t ?� Q m .4 mb ON � +) > a a .+ V, I -4-t 00 «r1 3 0 2 Q Q Q 3 .�bl M V 0-4 J J J Q N A Id Od 4 13 mb + U00 0P 'ONH m 'A N -A la m o m �• E E V` ww009 me o a [ �� G1 -P m N T' E! bA o o S c — •4 r 3� a d K) El • .P-Im 4 A OWN MfG 3 m-4 o W D > A b.-1-14-i "W m id Q) W LJ m 0 14 a w t9 0- N-4 x 3 q,: 0 0 N N lW m $4 m m • m C. Z �a 0 ° ti-I A H-I 0m m4' d o 3d03S 40 omm � om ► -iv J E UJ-t-I l' Ub '' ow'd , a.A .r E 4w0 4J 4-4 U � m­4v m� a 0 W 0-1 (1) 00 o 0 amwCAwNZCO m mm 0 P40 0 Id E J H Ov�'d OQHPa� 0 H U E J m w LL E-A H p p z.-t Nn XiaJdow ALL DIMENSIONS IN MILLIMETRES EXCEPT WHERE NOTED Town of Newcastle Public Works 0eprtment CHECKED. CRO S SECTION REVISION Na. 1 GRADING , GRANULAR BASE AND SURFACE D^TE APR. 1988 t:`y AI'Pf20VED TREATMENT JULY 25, 1988 FOR" RURAL ROADS G.P.A. Minutes - __ July 9, 1990 Request from Becas Resolution #GPA 54490 Developments Limited to Open the Road Allowance Moved by Councillor Stapleton, seconded by Councillor Hamre y between lots 18 and 19, South of Concession:;:- !-,THAT Report WD-66-90 be received; Road 6, former Clarke Township. THAT the request by Becas Developments Limited to open the road allowance (Patterson Road) and construct a road to Town of Newcastle standards between Lots 18 and 19, 77.2.150 south of Concession Road 6, former Township of Clarke, be approved, in accordance with Town Policy and subject to the applicant satisfying all conditions of the Town, financial and otherwise; THAT the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement between Becas Developments Limited and the Town of Newcastle to allow Becas Developments to construct a road on the unopened road allowance for approximately 484.63 m (1,590 feet) in accordance with Town Standard (Attachment NO-5 to Report WD-66-90) and the conditions set out in Schedule 'A' (Attachment N0.3 to Report WD-66-90); and THAT Mr. Kelvin Whalen, G. M. Sernas & Associates, Engineering Consultants for the applicant, Mr. P. Caspari, Mr. & Mrs. H e Mr. Mr. & Mrs. Van Belle be & Ml's. Lenyel and advised of Council's decision. "CARRIED AS AMENDED LATER IN THE MEETING" (SEE FOLLOWING AMENDING MOTIONS) Resolution #GPA-545-90 Moved by Councillor Hamre, seconded by Councillor Wotten THAT the foregoing Resolution #GPA-54490 be amended by adding thereto: "THAT Becas Developments construct an entrance to the Heggie property as part of the road construction contract". "CARRIED AS AMENDED LATER IN THE MEETING" (SEE FOLLOWING AMENDING MOTION) Resolution #GPA-546-90 Moved by Councillor Hamm seconded by Councillor Stapleton THAT Resolution #GPA-544-90 be amended by adding thereto: "THAT the concerns of Mr. J. Lengyel be addressed and trees be protected whenever possible." "CARMD" The foregoing Resolution #GPA-544-90 was then put to a vote and CARRIED AS AMENDED. ATTACHMENT NO. 2 WD-66-00 ADDENDUM i S hibley Righton Barristers & Solicitors RICHARD E.SHIBLEY,Q.C. RUPERT F.RIGHTON,Q.C. HAROLD H.ELLIOTT Q.C. Tel.:(416)363-9381 DENNIS C.HEFFERON JOHN D.BOGART,Q.C. DONALD K.ROBINSON:Q.C. RICHARD E.ANKA,Q.C. BARRY S.WORTZMAN,Q.C. LESLIE S.MASON Fax.:(416)365-1717 MICHAEL GORDON DEZ WINDISCHMANN JOHN P.BELL MICHAEL FITZPATRICK,Q.C. GEORGE CORN PETER H.SMITH BRIAN M.CAMPBELL V'ROSS MORRISON P.JOHN PITCHER GEORGE A.ROBERTSON ALAN L.BROMSTEIN JOHN C.SPEARN MICHAEL C.BIRLEY PETER C.WILLIAMS RICHARD A.B.DEVENNEY MICHAEL L.PATERSON J.PAUL WEARING PAUL E.McINN1S BERNARD McGARVA PETER G.NEILSON CLIFFORD I.COLE BOX 32—401 Bay.Street JONATHAN H.FLANDERS CHARLES SIMCO THOMAS A.STEFANIK BARBARA R.C.DOHERTY WILLIAM L.NORTHCOTE JAMES ROSSITER Toronto,Canada CAROL A.STREET HELDER M.TRAVASSOS PETER M.WHALEN PETER V.RAYTEK J.JAY RUDOLPH BRIAN W.CHU CYNTHIA J.GUNN MARTIN J.HENDERSON ANITA T.KAIN M5H 2Z1 NICHOLAS T.MACOS WARREN S.RAPOPORT RICHARD E.COLES CHRISTOPHER B.LOBB MERLE M.NUDELMAN MARTIN PETERS ALEXANDER P.TORGOV SEAN M.FORAN CHARLES M.GASTLE PHILIP P.HEALEY R,PETER A.MACDONALD DONALD A.McNEILL SHEILA M.QUIGLEY TIMOTHY J.HILL J.PAUL R.HOWARD WADE D.JAMIESON LEONARD D.RODNESS NETANUS T.RUTHERFORD Suite 1800 THOMAS R.WHITBY SANDRA E.DAWE LINDA J.GODEL JANIS E.INGRAM CHRISTINE M.SILVERSIDES JEFF G.A.BURTT SALVATORE J.P.FRISINA JOHN D.HISCOCK OSCAR J.SALA The Simpson Tower COUNSEL MARTIN L.OBRIEN,Q.C. BARRY D.LIPSON,Q.C. January 25, 1991 VIA FAX NO. 1(416) 623-5717 Mr. Walter Evans r. ` Director of Public Works Town of Newcastle 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario .�A L1C 3A6 ; Dear Mr. Evans: Re: Becas Developments Limited's ("Becas") Application to Open as a Public Highway the Allowance between Lots 18 & 19, South of Concession Road 6, Former Clarke Township, (Patterson Road) I am writing to you regarding the above matter which was dealt with in Report WD#66-90. In the course of the preparation of this report, you asked Mr. N. Macos of our firm to provide you with legal advice concerning certain issues. Subsequently, you asked for confirmation of that advice in writing. I am responding to the latter request. ATTACHMENT NO, 3 WD-66-90 ADDENDUM i Shibley Righton - 2 - j i i ENCLOSURES AND REMOVAL OF TREES There are several facts set out in Report #66-90 which need to be noted at the outset. First, the above allowance is an original road allowance. Second, there are certain encroachment areas on the allowance which have been enclosed with abutting properties. Third, there are a large number of trees growing on the allowance in question which will have to be cut and removed if the proposed road is to be constructed. Fourth, it is proposed that when these trees are cut down, the timber would be disposed of by gift to certain of the abutting property owners and not sold to anyone. Since the allowance is an original allowance and private persons are in possession of and have enclosed portions of it by installing fences that apart from the fact that the title to the allowance is vested in the Town, would be lawful, and since the allowance in has not been opened as a public highway apparently because parallel roads to it have been established, in my opinion, Subsection 300(1), of the Municipal Act R.S.O. 1980, c.302 will apply. Under that Subsection, until a by-law has been passed by the Town Council for "opening" the allowance under Subsection 300(1), the abutting owners who have enclosed parts of the allowance are deemed to be legally possessed of the part of which they are in possession against all persons except the Town. In my opinion, in application to the present circumstances, the term "opening" as used in Subsection 300(1) of the Act means opening up the total area of the allowance in question, that is by removing any fence erected by abutting owners. In short, the limited i i I Shibley Righton - 3 - I right of the abutting owners to possess the enclosed arts of the allowance in question g g P P will terminate on the enactment of a by-law pursuant to Subsection 300(1). However, as a result of Subsection 300(2) of the Municipal Act, a by-law cannot be passed to 'open" an allowance in the sense just mentioned "until notice in writing of the intention to pass it has been given to the person in possession at least eight days before the meeting of the Council at which the by-law is to be taken into consideration." Although more than eight days notice of the G.P.A. Committee meeting at which Report WD#66- 90 was considered, was given to the persons in possession of parts of the allowance in question, in my opinion, Subsection 300(2) requires that eight day's notice must also be given of the meeting of Council itself at which the by-law to implement Report WD#66- 90 could be considered in order for the by-law to be effective in law. With regard to the trees now growing on the allowance in question, under Subsection 313(3) of the Municipal Act, trees "upon a highway, are deemed to be appurtenant to the land adjacent to the highway and nearest thereto. Prior to removing such a tree, a by-law would have to be passed pursuant to Subsection 313(4)(e). Although it may argued that Section 313 of the Municipal Act does not apply to the present situation since the trees are growing on an unopened road allowance, that is on land which does not yet comprise a public highway, and since implementation of Report #G.P.A. 66-90 will necessitate the passing of a by-law to establish and lay out a public 6 _. i ' I i Shibley Righton - 4 - highway and that by-law may be passed prior to the removal of the trees in question, it would be prudent to pass a by-law under Subsection 313(4)(a) of the Municipal Act to authorize the removal of the trees from the allowance. A by-law cannot be passed under Subsection 312(4)(e) unless it is in the public interest to remove the trees and then only after ten days notice of the Town's intention is given to the owner of any abutting land to which the tree is appurtenant. In the circumstances it would be prudent to give this notice to all owners of lands which abut the allowance in question. Since the allowance in question is an original allowance, Paragraph 309 6 of the Municipal Act would be applicable if it was proposed to sell the timber or trees now growing on it. This Paragraph authorizes a municipal council to pass by-laws: "for preserving or selling the timber or trees on any original allowance road, subject however ... in the case of an unopened original allowance for road, ... the approval of the Minister of Natural Resources". Since Report WD#66-90 proposes that the Town give the timber to certain of the abutting owners, (that is make a grant of the timber to them), in my opinion, a "sale" of the timber would not be involved. Therefore, in my opinion, the prior approval of the Minister of Natural Resources to a by-law passed to approve Report WD#66-90 would not be ? L. S hibley Righton - s - required under Paragraph 309(6) of the Municipal Act. PROCEDURE UNDER SECTION 298 OF THE MUNICIPAL ACT TO ESTABLISH AND LAY OUT A HIGHWAY As I noted above, a by-law passed pursuant to Section 300 of the Municipal Act to "open" the road allowance will only have the effect of authorizing the Town to remove the fences enclosing areas of the road allowance in question with abutting lands. In order to establish a public highway in the present circumstances, a by-law must be passed under Subsection 298(1)(a) of the Municipal Act. Before passing such a by-law, the Town must comply with the advertising and process requirements of Section 301 of the Municipal Act, as well as the requirements of the Act and the Regional Municipality of Durham Act. Subsection 298(1)(a) of the Municipal Act provides: "The council of every municipality may pass by-laws, (a) for establishing an laying out highways." In the common situation where a new plan of subdivision is approved and registered, draft approval usually will have been given conditional on the making of an agreement with the Town. Typically, that agreement will require the subdivider to construct to the municipality's specifications and satisfaction, the services and pavement necessary to actually create a road on the allowances shown on the plan of subdivision in question. When the Sh"ey Righton - 6 - road has been constructed to the Town's specifications and satisfaction, and the warranty period has expired, the Town Council may assume the road as a public highway. This assumption usually is effected by by-law. Once the road has been assumed as a public highway, the Town is required to keep the highway in repair. Also, from the time of the assumption of the road, members of the public have the right to use it as a public highway. Of course, the status of the road as a public highway and the right of the public to use it can only be changed by by-law passed under Subsection 298(1) of the Municipal Act to close the highway after full compliance with the process requirements of Section 301 of the Municipal Act. The road allowances shown on a registered plan of subdivision are owned in fee simple by the Town from the date of registration of the plan of subdivision on title. Construction of a road pursuant to the requirements of a subdivision agreement will take place on the Town-owned allowance. Prior to the approval and registration of the plan of subdivision in question, title to the proposed roadways will have been the subdivider concerned. Construction of the roads on a registered plan of subdivision will proceed in accordance with the requirements of the particular subdivision agreement after title to the allowances has been vested in the Town. Following completion of the roads and the expiry of the warranty period, the assumption by-law either explicitly or implicitly will provide for i i i Shibley Righton - 7 - the dedication of the road for the use by the public as a public highway. The Town's liability to repair dates from the assumption of the roads in question. Report WD#66-90 presents a situation that is somewhat unusual today. The original road allowance is owned in fee simple by Town by force of the Municipal Act and not as a result of registration on title of a plan of subdivision. The proposed road is constructed by Becas on the Town-owned unopened allowance. In the case of the unopened allowance in question, the appropriate way to proceed would be for Council to pass a by-law under Subsection 298(1)(a) of the Municipal Act following compliance with the process requirements of Section 301 of the Act and, of course, following adoption by Council of your recommendations contained in Report WD#66-90. Although the point is not free from legal dispute, and despite the fact that frequently municipalities will pass by-laws ostensibly under the authority of Subsection 298(1)(a) after a road has been constructed, in my opinion, the term "laying out" as used in Subsection 298(1)(a) is correctly interpreted in law to mean laying out the proposed road on the ground by survey and declaring that as so laid out the road is a public highway. (See Schrader v. Gratten [1945] O.R. 657; Re Ostrom and Sidney [1887] 15 O.R. 43, appeal allowed on different grounds 15 O.A.R. 372, and Reeve v. Fort William [1955] O.W.N. 207.) Therefore, in my opinion, in the present circumstances, it is open to the Town f; / 0; Shibley Righton - 8 - Council to pass a by-law under Subsection 298(1)(a) of the Municipal Act in partial implementation of Report WD#66-90 prior to the construction of the road in question as a public highway in order to establish and lay out a public highway, assuming of course, that the requirements of Section 301 of the Act will be satisfied. Prior to the enactment of such a by-law, an agreement should be executed by Becas with the Town dealing with the construction of the road in question, including matters of insurance, indemnity, and security. I would contemplate that the agreement would contain the relevant provisions of the standard subdivision agreement used by the Town. Any security that is required by the agreement including insurance should be deposited with the Treasurer prior to the passing of a by-law under Subsection 298(1)(a) of the Municipal Act. BY-LAWS REQUIRED TO BE PASSED TO IMPLEMENT REPORT WD#6-90 In summary, and subject to what will be said below concerning the recommendations contained in Report WD#66-90 respecting the supply and planting of trees on privately- owned land, if Council approves the Report, the following by-laws should be passed after complying the process requirements noted above: 1. A by-law to authorize the execution of an agreement to implement the construction, security, insurance and indemnity requirements proposed in the Report; r Shibley Righton - 9 - 2. A by-law under Section 313 of the Municipal Act to authorize the removal of trees now growing in the allowance; 3. A by-law under Section 300 of the Municipal Act "to open" the allowance in question; and 4. A by-law under Subsection 298(1)(a) of the Municipal Act "to establish and lay out a public highway in the allowance in question. NEW TREES PROPOSED TO BE PLANTED ON ABUTTING PROPERTIES As you note in your letter to Mr. Macos of June 28, 1990 paragraph 3.2 of Report WD#66-90 provides for the Town to act "the banker" for the payment of the cost of the supply and planting of trees of the Langyel and Heggie properties. The proposal is that Becas would provide the Town with a letter of credit in the amount of$14,000.00 to provide for the cost of the trees. The Town would make payments in response to invoices submitted from time to time by Mr. Langyel and Mr. Heggie. Apart from the legality of the proposed arrangement, I would note that its implementation would require either that the Town establish a fund of $14,000.00 from its own monies and call on the letter of credit after all disbursements have been made, or that 1 �j 7 `7 Shibley Righton the Town call on the letter of credit prior to making any disbursements for the purposes set out in paragraph 3.2 of the Report. I assume that what is intended is the latter. However, it is not clear to me why a letter of credit would be proposed rather than a cash deposit from which disbursements would be made with any remaining balance being repaid to Becas. With regard to the legality of the proposed arrangement, I note that the disbursement of monies for trees to be planted on private property is permitted only with the consent of the owner where "shade or ornamental trees" are being planted adjacent to any highway. In such a case, municipal funds may be used to pay the cost of supplying and planting such trees. If the trees in question could be so described, the Town would have power to pass a by-law under Subsection 313(4)(b) of the Municipal Act to authorize the planting of such trees at the expense of the Town. The Town has authority to accept gifts from individuals. Therefore, it would be lawful for the Town, in my opinion, to accept a gift of $14,000.00 (or whatever the appropriate figure is) from Becas which would be paid into a reserve account. The monies could then be disbursed to pay for the cost of planting the "shade or ornamental trees" in question. If it is the case that paragraph 3.2 of Report WD#66-90 contemplates that any of the new trees proposed to be planted either would not qualify as "shade or ornamental i 7 7