| Page 6 By this report, the Planning, Property and Development Department is advising as to the results of those discussions with Ladco, and is seeking approval of a recommended City position on an approach to acquiring some of this property and the basis for the price to be paid. In addition, due to the need to resolve the matter of the use of a portion of the tree stand for a proposed crossing of the Seine River through retention of an independent local engineering consultant(s) to undertake a long term environmental and traffic impacts and an access assessment study, approval is required for an additional budget appropriation of $50,000.00. HISTORY: A. Bois des Esprits Negotiations By letter dated August 23, 1999, Grandin Park Development Ltd. (a joint venture between Ladco Co. and the Province of Manitoba) advised that it is preparing design concepts for the next phase of the Royalwood residential development. The developer recognized that approximately 80 acres of the 305 acres proposed for development has been given a Grade �A� designation by the Seine River Task Force. Of those, approximately 33 acres lie within the City�s waterway requirement, which is typically purchased pursuant to the terms of a development agreement on the recommendation of the Water and Waste Department. This is pursuant to the authority granted by Council on January 19, 1983 when it adopted the recommendations of the Seine River Park Study report, which included an ongoing land acquisition program for all Seine River waterway lands. The developer could dedicate some of the remaining 47+/- acres based on normal land dedication requirements, and the City could also acquire some at a negotiated price. The developer, therefore, requested the City to determine its overall plans regarding this +/-80- acre tree stand. Subsequently, numerous meetings and discussions took place internally among Divisions as well as with the developer, regarding the amount of land that the City may wish to purchase as well as the basis for determining the proposed price, all of which would be subject to affordability and identifying the potential source of funding. On Nov. 29, 2000 the Administrative Coordinating Group (ACG) considered the developer�s application DASZ 19/00, and the ACG�s Minutes state that the Planning and Land Use Division favours the acquisition by dedication and purchase of the entire tree stand, subject to affordability. Accordingly, further negotiations ensued between the developer and the Real Estate Division. The Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, at its meeting held on November 20, 2001, passed the following motion: �That the Director of Planning, Property and Development be authorized to negotiate the acquisition of some or all of the �Bois des Esprits� tree stand above the Waterway Requirement, as outlined on Misc. Plan No. 11303, and report back to the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development.� |