Two significant older properties in Amherstburg will be the subject of council discussion at their next meeting.
Separate reports on Belle Vue and the former General Amherst High School properties are on town council’s Sept. 23 agenda.
On the topic of Belle Vue, the recommendation council will consider is to deem the entire property as surplus, direct administration to proceed with negotiations with Amico/Loop regarding their expression of interest (EOI), use the balance of funding in the Belle Vue EOI project for use in the next steps in negotiations, and to direct administration that if negotiations fail, they must provide a report back to town council regarding the procedure for the disposition of the property.
Other parts of the recommendation would, if approved, see council direct administration to “provide a formal statement” to the Belle Vue Conservancy advising of the divestment of the property and that the town would not support the further collection of donations and that administration enter into discussions with the BVC regarding donor recognitions.
The Amico/Loop proposal, presented Oct. 10, 2023, called for renovation of the manor with six hotel rooms, a spa, restaurant and public gallery/event space.
There would also be another building constructed with a 24-unit hotel, a pool house, outdoor pavilion, green space and 52 semi-detached homes.
“The order of events for the proposal also provided for the restoration of the Manor to proceed upon approval of Plan of Condominium and run parallel with site servicing for the residential area. This was significant as the timeline for the Manor rehabilitation was therefore not dependant upon completion and sale of the residential development lands,” states the report from Deputy CAO/director of development services Melissa Osborne. “The proposal would result in the sale of the entire property and Manor. Given this Council put forward the question to Amico/Loop as to whether it would be open to a lease for the Manor and immediate grounds. At that time Cindy Prince, representing Amico, advised they had not considered a lease and should the proposal move to next steps they would consider it. During the detailed financial and feasibility review of the Amico/Loop proposal the proponent advised they would remain solely with the full ownership model as presented. As such only the full ownership model has been developed as part of Capital Assist Valuations efforts and results, and is noted below.”
The 16-page report also notes, in part: “Regardless of which type of residential development Council would be open moving forward on this property, the value which can be sought is significantly higher than the $1,500,000 already invested in Belle Vue by the Town, inclusive of donations and grants. Should Council elect to proceed with the sale of the Belle Vue property, in whole or in part, consideration should be given to the type of development which Council would be agreeable to when considering the potential sale value which could be realized. Council should also be aware that property owners have the right to request amendments to Official Plans and Zoning bylaws. The current proposal can be negotiated to ensure conditions restrict the type of residential development. Should this proposal not proceed or not be successfully negotiated if direction is to proceed, consideration of the sale of any part of the Belle Vue property should be reviewed to ensure the Town is in a position to place restrictions on title as to the type of development permitted, should it be necessary.”
Should the town proceed with the Amico/Loop proposal, Osborne wrote the next step would be to negotiate an agreement with them to ensure the restoration and ongoing public access of the manor and “an appropriate financial consideration for the property.”
The report also notes: “Given the potential sale value of the land, Council may consider not proceeding with the Amico/Loop proposal and sell 4.5 acres toward the back of the property retaining ownership of the Manor and the remaining 4.1 acres surrounding it. This option was also modelled considering two scenarios; (the) Town leases the Manor to a third party; or, The Town operates the Manor itself.”
Regarding the General Amherst proposal, Osborne wrote a report noting a proposal from the Valente Development Corporation to embed a new town hall into the former high school. If the recommendation to approve the proposal in principle goes forward, an open house would be held at the Libro Centre Oct. 5 from 10 a.m.-12 noon and a survey would be put out for the public to give feedback.
Osborne pointed out in her report the proposal went before town council in an in-camera session Feb. 26. She noted plans call for a mixed use commercial/residential development, and her report was “solely to address the concept of the potential integration of a new town hall into the development.”
“The developer is currently developing plans for the site and seeking clarity on whether or not the Town intends to proceed with having Town Hall included in this development or not. After Council decides on this direction, the developer will proceed forward with the necessary planning application(s), which once fully vetted and reviewed by the Planning Department will require a Statutory Public Meeting at which time the development will be open to discussion. Valente Development is targeting 2025 to complete all necessary planning approvals and to commence construction in 2026,” the report states.
The report also notes “the developer is open to a lease, own or lease to own model.” A third party planner was suggested to avoid concerns over any conflicts of interest.
There would also be another building constructed with a 24-unit hotel, a pool house, outdoor pavilion, green space and 52 semi-detached homes.
“The order of events for the proposal also provided for the restoration of the Manor to proceed upon approval of Plan of Condominium and run parallel with site servicing for the residential area. This was significant as the timeline for the Manor rehabilitation was therefore not dependant upon completion and sale of the residential development lands,” states the report from Deputy CAO/director of development services Melissa Osborne. “The proposal would result in the sale of the entire property and Manor. Given this council put forward the question to Amico/Loop as to whether it would be open to a lease for the Manor and immediate grounds. At that time Cindy Prince, representing Amico, advised they had not considered a lease and should the proposal move to next steps they would consider it. During the detailed financial and feasibility review of the Amico/Loop proposal the proponent advised they would remain solely with the full ownership model as presented.”
The report also notes, in part: “Regardless of which type of residential development Council would be open moving forward on this property, the value which can be sought is significantly higher than the $1,500,000 already invested in Belle Vue by the Town, inclusive of donations and grants. Should Council elect to proceed with the sale of the Belle Vue property, in whole or in part, consideration should be given to the type of development which Council would be agreeable to when considering the potential sale value which could be realized.”
Should the town proceed with the Amico/Loop proposal, Osborne wrote the next step would be to negotiate an agreement with them to ensure the restoration and ongoing public access of the manor and “an appropriate financial consideration for the property.”
The report also notes: “Given the potential sale value of the land, council may consider not proceeding with the Amico/Loop proposal and sell 4.5 acres toward the back of the property retaining ownership of the Manor and the remaining 4.1 acres surrounding it.”
Regarding the General Amherst proposal, Osborne’s report noted a proposal from the Valente Development Corporation to embed a new town hall into the former high school. If the recommendation to approve the proposal in principle goes forward, an open house would be held at the Libro Centre Oct. 5 from 10 a.m.-12 noon and a survey would be put out for the public to give feedback.
Osborne pointed out in her report the proposal went before town council in an in-camera session Feb. 26. She noted plans call for a mixed use commercial/residential development, and her report was “solely to address the concept of the potential integration of a new town hall into the development.”
“The developer is currently developing plans for the site and seeking clarity on whether or not the Town intends to proceed with having town hall included in this development or not. After council decides on this direction, the developer will proceed forward with the necessary planning application(s), which once fully vetted and reviewed by the planning department will require a Statutory Public Meeting at which time the development will be open to discussion. Valente Development is targeting 2025 to complete all necessary planning approvals and to commence construction in 2026,” the report states.
The report also notes “the developer is open to a lease, own or lease to own model.” A third party planner was suggested to avoid concerns over any conflicts of interest.
Town council to consider options relating to Belle Vue, former General Amherst properties
By Ron Giofu
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