The Town of Minto is planning a minor land swap with a local business.
At the Nov. 5 meeting, council agreed to exchange a small L-shaped piece of land adjacent to the Harriston Fire Hall, for a triangular piece of land behind the Leslie Motors dealership on Elora Street.
In a report to council, CAO Bill White explained that in the process of planning for an expansion of their building Leslie Motors approached the town about acquiring the parcel adjacent to the fire hall.
Acquiring additional land from the Fire Hall property “was not necessary to allow expansion of Leslie Motors, but makes use of the property around their addition more efficient,” White noted.
The CAO pointed out the transfer of the land will have some impact on a small parkette behind the fire hall, and noted the volunteer firefighters are looking at improvements following the land trade. A small monument will need to be relocated.
White explained there is merit in the land trade for the town, as the triangular parcel it will acquire is one of the first to flood when the Maitland River rises and town ownership allows the lands to be further protected and affords access to the river bank for maintenance.
“The conveyance of the L-shaped parcel from the fire hall does not impact on operations or the adjacent parkette to a great degree. The fire chief will work with Leslie Motors and the volunteers on upgrades and monument relocation after the land transfer,” White stated.
Leslie Motors will cover legal and survey costs while the town is responsible for some tree removal and advertising to declare the land surplus. The estimated cost to the town is less than $3,000.
Council approved the report and agreed to declare the land involved as surplus and directed staff to bring forward and agreement of purchase and sale and a bylaw for consideration at the Nov. 19 meeting.
