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Lakeside Waterfront Property Acquisition

Jan. 10, 2005

Council approved the acquisition of the Lakeside property from Runnymede Somerset in the amount of $2,400,000.00 at their meeting Jan. 10th. 

Council had previously budgeted $2,000,000.00 for the purchase of the land situated at the southwest corner of Ashbury Boulevard and Audley Road. The additional amount was approved from the Capital Projects Reserve Fund and the 1991 DC Reserve Fund.

Negotiations between the town and Runnymede have been ongoing over the last year. An agreement on price was arrived at in December, with Council providing approval at their meeting on January 10th.

By acquiring this property Ajax Council has continued the legacy of previous Councils to ensure the waterfront remains in public ownership for the enjoyment and recreation of Ajax residents and their families.

Note: Extensive public consultations were held in the fall of 2004 to update the waterfront plan which would include this parcel of land. It is expected that the plan based on the public consultations will be presented to Council in the spring of 2005.

January 12, 2004

Ajax Town Council passed a resolution authorizing staff to negotiate the purchase of undeveloped waterfront land located in the Lakeside Community. The property was originally planned to accommodate a public elementary school.

A subdivision agreement stipulates that if the property is not used for a school, the Town of Ajax may acquire the land at fair market value. If the Town decided not to exercise this option, the current owners would be permitted to develop a four-storey seniors development. There was also the concern that the owners could rezone the property to develop additional detached housing.

The land will provide the Town with a valuable and strategic piece of property along the waterfront. Zoning also permits the land to be used for a combination of public open space and recreational uses.
                
The land is currently owned by the Runnymede Development Corporation. It totals 4.26 acres (1.725 hectares), of which 2.36 acres can be developed for seniors housing, and is located at the south-west corner of Ashbury Boulevard and Audley Road.

Ajax has the longest publically owned and accessible waterfront in the G.T.A. The acquisition of this land is in keeping with the Towns Official Plan and Waterfront Plan.  Ajax is the envy of many communities with its beautiful waterfront and more than 465 acres of parkland and natural areas throughout the Town, including many small neighbourhood parks and numerous walking trails, totaling close to 38 kms.

Negotiations will begin immediately between the Town and Runnymede.  The existing subdivision agreement outlines the process for determining the value of the subject property.  This process outlines a number of steps to assist the parties in reaching a fair agreement.

 Funding will be provided through monies that have previously been collected through development charges and set aside in DC Parkland Reserves.  This fund can only be used for parkland acquisition and must be spent by September of this year.

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