City acquires lot for boulevard project

Summary#

Montréal city council unanimously approved the acquisition of a vacant lot from 9376-9727 Québec inc. for work to redevelop boulevard Marcel-Laurin in Saint-Laurent. The City is to pay no purchase price, but must pay any applicable taxes. Its stated goal is to use the lot for the boulevard redevelopment.

  • The lot is about 456 square metres and is north of boulevard Marcel-Laurin, east of rue Saint-Louis.
  • The city clerk is authorized to sign the deed of transfer.
  • The lot is to become part of the City’s public domain as a street and sidewalk.
  • The City will take the property without a guarantee about soil quality, and at its own risk on that issue.

What it means for you#

  • People using the area: The lot is being added to the public domain as a street and sidewalk for the boulevard project. The decision does not set a construction schedule.
  • The City: It will receive the land without paying a purchase price, but must pay any applicable taxes. It accepts the property without a soil-quality guarantee.
  • Residents and businesses: The decision does not directly change your rights, taxes, or services.

Money#

The City pays no purchase price, but the amount of any applicable taxes is not stated.

  • City staff estimated the land’s market value at more than $150,000. They said this figure was only used to determine which municipal decision-makers had authority to approve the deal; it is not the purchase price.
  • The city centre is to cover 100% of the expense. City staff say borrowing bylaw 19-005 will finance applicable taxes under the City’s strategic property acquisitions plan.

What is unclear#

  • The amount of applicable taxes, if any, is not given.
  • The file notes a contamination notice and a land-use restriction notice on the property. City staff say nearby soil studies indicate the soil meets the intended use, but the City is accepting the lot without a soil-quality guarantee.
  • The City may prepare a notice of decontamination after acquiring the lot, but must first carry out environmental soil studies. Their cost and results are not stated.

Case for#

  • City staff say the lot is needed for the boulevard redevelopment, including a new intersection and reconstruction of the turnaround.
  • The City pays no purchase price, while gaining land for the project.

Case against#

  • The City accepts the property at its own risk regarding soil condition and without a soil-quality guarantee. Further studies may be needed, and their cost is unknown.
  • Although staff say nearby studies indicate the soil meets the intended use, the file records contamination and land-use restriction notices on the property.