It looks like residents will continue to enjoy parks in Port Dover and Simcoe as they are after Norfolk councilors removed them from a list of land parcels up for potential sale.
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Fourteen Norfolk-owned vacant properties are under consideration to sell in order to build houses and improve the county’s financial position.
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County staff gathered feedback online and at three public meetings late last year. In a report to advisors, staff recommended all the properties be declared surplus and sold. Proceeds from any sales would be split between enhancing nearby parks and public spaces and replenishing Norfolk’s reserves.
At a council-in-committee meeting on Tuesday, councilors voted to have several of the properties move on to the next steps required for sale. They took four properties off the potential sale list, including one with a proposal to partition Percy Ryerse Park in Port Dover. Also vetoed for sale was the sale of green space beside Colonel Stalker Park in Simcoe, where one large house could be built; a wooded area between Highway 59 and Hawtrey Road in a Delhi subdivision because the green space creates a buffer between nearby industrial land; and 15 Firefighters Lane in Vittoria, the site of an old softball diamond.
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The decisions require final approval at an upcoming council meeting.
Matt Palermo, whose family has lived in the area surrounding Percy Ryerse Park for about 60 years, spoke to councilors at Tuesday’s meeting. He shared historical documents dating back to the time Ryerse donated the land stating it “remain a public park forever.”
Palermo said the park is well used by nearby residents for community gatherings, games of football and rugby, people walking their dogs, and children learning to ride a bike.
“All that Percy Ryerse intended for this park it is still being used for,” said Palermo. “We have multiple developments around the outskirts that have already been approved for development and have infrastructure in place. I’d suggest going forward with those.”
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Although county staff said wording of the Ryerse document was standard for the time and didn’t prevent the sale of the park parcel, councilors remained opposed.
“What do we think the Ryerses meant?” said Coun. Adam Veri. “What is this saying to other potential donors of land? Does the county honor past agreements or go back on its word?”
Among the properties approved for next steps of potential sale are:
- Portion of Walsingham Community Park, 2070 Main St., Walsingham.
- Lot 17, Kenneth Ave, Woodhouse
- Lot 19, Kenneth Ave., Woodhouse
- Block A., Kenneth Ave, Woodhouse
- Parts of Lot 33, Sovereen Street, Delhi
- Portion of 27 Elizabeth Cres., Courtland
- 197 Queen Street East, St. Williams
- 14 Okes Blvd. in Victoria
A report prepared by Heidi Van Dyk, general manager of corporate services, said “making decisions about the potential disposition of municipally-owned land is often very difficult.”
“Green space is important for a healthy community as is fiscal responsibility for what lands the municipality can maintain,” said the report. “There are also mounting needs for housing options within our community and land is one tool the municipality can consider.”
Mayor Amy Martin said Norfolk is in a housing crisis and it’s “council’s responsibility to revisit what we own and make sure that we’re providing the best and highest use for all of our residents.”
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