Niagara-on-the-Lake is set to sell a tiny piece of town-owned land for $1 to help clear the way for a future expansion of the NOTL Museum.
Council backed the sale Tuesday after hearing the parcel, which forms part of the museum property at 25 and 43 Castlereagh St., is only about 11 square metres, landlocked and already occupied by part of the museum building.
“In practical terms, this is a small remnant parcel that forms part of the broader museum lands, but remains under town ownership,” director of corporate services Kyle Freeborn told councillors.
The sale would transfer the land to the Niagara Historical Society, which owns the surrounding museum lands, giving it full ownership and clearing the way for its planned expansion.
The deal would waive the town’s normal surplus land sale requirements, including public notice, because of the land’s size, landlocked nature and the lack of public interest in the matter.
Freeborn said the transaction is not expected to have a direct financial impact on the town. The society would be responsible for the costs tied to the transfer, including legal, survey and registration fees.
Staff estimated those costs at roughly $1,200 to $1,500.
The discussion came shortly after councillors debated a separate, more contentious question about what to do with a piece of town-owned land near Ryerson Park.
Coun. Sandra O’Connor said that was why she wanted to explain her vote.
“I am not in favour of selling any municipal land unless there’s a compelling reason,” O’Connor said. “For this particular one, for me, there is a compelling reason.”
She said she voted in favour of the museum expansion and saw this parcel differently.
“It’s a landlocked parcel needed for the expansion,” she said.
O’Connor also called the museum a “quasi-municipal organization” because of its public role.
“(The museum) is here for the service of the residents. And we, as a council, also support it as well,” she said.
Coun. Wendy Cheropita also drew a line between the museum parcel and the earlier parkland discussion.
“I think it’s important that that be said,” said Cheropita. “This is very different than the last one we voted on.”
For her, the key phrase was “non-functional land.”
“So there’s no function for it. It is landlocked. It is of no use to the town, whatsoever, or the public,” Cheropita said. “It’s sort of an easy decision.”
The recommendation still needs final council adoption May 26, when a bylaw to complete the sale is expected to come forward.
