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1 F Rqion d $4 WOhking ff~h REPORT you Meeting Date: June 7, 2012 Greenlands Securement Subcommittee DATE: May 4,2012 REPORT TITLE FROM: TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL PROPERTY PROJECT UPDATE, PART LOTS 8,9 AND 10, CONCESSION 8 ALB, TOWN Norma Trim, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services RECOMMENDATION That the funding amount of $250,000 representing 50 per cent of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) estimated costs that were previously committed for the immediate site securement and demolition needs related to the acquisition by the TRCA of 102 hectares (254 acres) in the Town of Caledon be released from the Greenlands Securement Capital project ; And further, that the released funds may be applied towards a portion of the costs related to completing the transfer of the property to TRCA, site securement work undertaken in 2011, additional site securement and demolition of buildings and structures along with related reports, bridge replacement and related reports, and selected fencing as described in the report. of the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services, dated May 4, 2012, titled "Toronto and Region Conservation Authority June 2012 Greenlands Securement Project-Town of Caledon, Ward 5"; And further, that costs for seasonal maintenance, site security, and additional hazard tree assessments and removal along trails be excluded from eligible funds; And further, that the TRCA provide final invoices to support the work undertaken, with the Region of Peel contribution adjusted to 50 per cent of the final invoices, up to a maximum Regional cost share of $250,000, which must be submitted before the end of

2 qa -2- May 4,2012 TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL PROPERN PROJECT UPDATE, PART LOTS 8,9 AND 10, CONCESSION 8 ALB, TOWN securement and demolition component prior to the release of funds for this component. Funding was approved for $978,000, with $250,000 of that amount committed for site securement and demolition as the Montessori School Property has buildings and infrastructure from as early as 1921 that were used to operate a children's camp. The TRCA has reviewed the costs and benefits to demolishing certain buildings, securing DISCUSSION q. Background The TRCA received Regional Council funding support in July 2010 to purchase the Montessori School Property (also known as Bolton Camp). The cost to secure these lands was shared with the City of Toronto. As a result of negotiations with the landowner Hi- Lands of Bolton Corp., the TRCA acquired 102 hectares (254 acres) in September A map is attached as Appendix I. The Greenlands Securement Subcommittee (GSSC) recommended to Regional Council that the $978,000 funding request by TRCA, representing 50 per cent of the total cost, be approved. Part of the funding request included $500,000 for site securement and demolition, of which $250,000 was requested from the Region. Resolution included a requirement for the TRCA to return to GSSC with further information prior to expenditure of the $250,000. The Regional Council resolution is attached as Appendix II. The TRCA is seeking approval to access the $250,000 that has been committed for this site to undertake the initial site securement and demolition needed to limit their immediate liability and to protect the asset. Prior to the previous owner, the Montessori School Property had been used as a summer camp for several decades, thus a number of buildings and structures exist on site. The site is unusual for greenlands securement due to the presence of these buildings and structures as well as the trails that had been developed. The site has been informally accessed by the public for walking, as well as vandalism by some. Thus there is a greater potential liability to TRCA than other less accessible Greenland properties secured by our conservation Partners. There is also political and community interest for a revitalized camp use on the site and reuse of existing buildings. 2. Project Details The final legal costs incurred by TRCA to take ownership of the property were higher than anticipated due to the challenging negotiation process with the landowner. As well, the size of the property and complexity of the boundary resulted in survey costs above estimates.

3 L\- -3- May 4,2012 TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL PROPERTY PROJECT UPDATE, PART LOTS 8,9 AND 10, CONCESSION 8 ALB, TOWN The cumulative effect is approximately $56,000 higher than expected. TRCA is requesting that 50 per cent of the additional expenses, about $28,000, be directed from the $250,000 to cover the balance of the acquisition costs. In 2009 and 2010, when this site-specific project was being considered, there was significant interest by Regional and Caledon Council members to reinstate opportunities for children's 'summer camp' use on the site. Some of the camp buildings have likely existed since 1921 when the camp started and are considered to have cultural heritage value, although individual buildings have not been listed under the Ontario Heritage Act. Since 2009, TRCA has been developing a business case to establish children's camping opportunities with Regional and Town of Caledon Council members and staff as well as with non-profit organizations. Options range from a summer day camp scenario to a year round field centre. However, the planning and assessment of the best alternative will undergo finalization through a separate capital planning process led by TRCA. At this stage, the buildings, structures, and site have been broadly analyzed to determine immediate liability, general condition, as well as potential for incorporation into future development plans. Of immediate concern is the need to take action to stop the further deterioration and vandalism to over 60 buildings and structures on site. Three buildings are in very poor condition and would not be needed in any future use scenario. These should be properly demolished as they are a serious liability. As well, asbestos is considered a hazardous substance and needs immediate removal and proper disposal from one historical building and from one of the buildings recommended for demolition. PCBs are likely to be within a number of electrical transformers on site. Their removal and proper disposal would negate accidental release into the environment, polluting land and water. A water tower on-site should be secured to prevent people from climbing the structure. As required under the Ontario Water Resources Act, existing wells need to be properly capped. Unfortunately in the four years prior to TRCA ownership lack of maintenance has resulted in unnecessary deterioration of the buildings. Upon acquisition in September 201 1, TRCA needed to take immediate action on a few of the larger buildings by boarding broken windows and doors as well as repairing a roof to ensure that there would not be further water damage. As well several large dead standing trees were felled to prevent potential tree damage to buildings. All buildings that are not recommended to be demolished should have windows and doors boarded to prevent further water damage and vandalism. Selected photos of the buildings can be found in Appendix Ill. There is about 5.3 km (3.3 miles) of perimeter on the Montessori School Property. There is about 2.2 km (1.4 miles) of frontage along CaledonIKing Townline and Columbia Way. Most of this frontage has fencing in good condition. There is about 400 metres (440 yards) of roadside fencing that TRCA is requesting funding support and a further 500 metres (550 yards) of fencing abutting existing residential properties and the new property line at the north end off Columbia Way. Proper fencing along the roads provides for controlled access and prevents unauthorized dumping of waste as well as encroachments from adjacent property owners. There is one access route to the majority of the site where the buildings are located. This driveway crosses Cold Creek over a bridge that is only able to support a pick-up truck sized vehicle. The bridge has been analyzed by a structural engineer and it is not capable of supporting a fire truck or other heavy vehicles that will be required to enter the property to carry out the immediate site securement work as well as provide emergency access to the

4 '4ct-4- May 4,2012 TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL PROPERTY PROJECT UPDATE, PART LOTS 8,9 AND 10, CONCESSION 8 ALB, TOWN majority of the property. There have been two fires on site that has resulted in the loss of two historical buildings. The Town of Caledon has advised TRCA that they will not take fire trucks across the bridge. TRCA has requested that the bridge be considered an allowable item under the Greenlands Securement Program. Estimated costs to undertake the site securement and demolition works are summarized in the chart below. Expense Category Su b-total costs Total Site Securement Costs Region of Peel (50%) Property Acquisition - additional legal and survey costs General Site Securement o 2011 costs: including technical reports and building securement Estimated as additional site securement work Subtotal I General Site Securement Bridge Replacement I $500,000 I Fencing I 1 $12,000 / $6, I Total Costs Note Peel max. funding Funding Outside Greenlands Securement Program $250, $667, $333, $250, $ 83, Proposed Direction It is recommended that the GSSC support the site securement request of the TRCA for the Montessori School Property. However, the site securement works covered by the Greenlands Securement Program would be limited to the initial request of $250,000 and that out of this the balance of the costs for property acquisition may be paid. The remainder of the $250,000 will be allocated at TRCA's discretion among the allowable costs of general site securement, installation of the bridge, and fencing. The work will need to be completed before the end of 2013 and invoices supporting the expenditures submitted. The TRCA has also requested coverage for costs related to seasonal maintenance, site security, and additional hazard tree assessments and removal along trails. As these activities are considered operations, it is recommended that these costs not be covered by the Greenlands Securement Project.

5 4Ck -5- May 4,2012 TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL PROPERTY PROJECT UPDATE, PART LOTS 8,9 AND 10, CONCESSION 8 ALB, TOWN FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS The funds for this site-specific project had been previously committed out of capital project Norma Trim Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services Approved for Submission: D. Szwarc, Chief Administrative Officer For futther information regarding this report, please contact Arvin Prasad, Director Integrate Planning Division at extension 4251 or via at arvin.prasad@peelregion.ca Authored By: Janet Wong/ c. ' Legislative Services Manager, Financial Support Unit (FSU) GSSC 12-05

6 - - APPENDIX I Toronto & Region Conservation Authority, Montessori School Property Project Update, Part Lots 8, 9 & 10, Con 8, ALB. Town of Caledon, Ward 5 Mav 4,2012 FRegiond Peel Wonbitq fob OIL CALEDON "--:essorl School Property Reiahed Area

7 +L-7-1- May 4,2012 TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL PROPERTY PROJECT UPDATE, PART LOTS 8,9 AND 10, CONCESSION 8 ALB, TOWN APPENDIX II Region of Peel IN CAMERA MATTERS I. Staff Reports APPROVED AT REGIONAL COUNCIL July 8, 2010 a) Greenlands Securement Project - Budget Allocations for 2010 and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Project Proposal and Funding Request (A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board) Moved by Councillor Thompson, Seconded by Councillor Moore; That the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) project proposal as described in the In Camera report of the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services, dated April 27, 2010, titled "Greenlands Securement Project - Budget Allocations for 2010 and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Project Proposal and Funding Request", be approved; And further, that the funding request amount of $978,000 be provided to the TRCA to cover 50 percent of the $1,956,000 cost related to the transfer of approximately 106 hectares (262.5 acres) to complete the purchase of the property and soft costs in the Town of Caledon as described in the subject report conditional upon the demolition costs of $500,000 not be expended until staff report back with a cost-benefit analysis of demolition, site securement and maintenance; And further, that the funds for the acquisition be provided from the Land Securement Capital Project , subject to the receipt of the market value appraisal; final sale agreement; draft survey and reference plan prior to registration; and Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to the satisfaction of the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services; And further, that should the TRCA dispose of any portion of the lands acquired, that the Region of Peel be paid a portion of the sale proceeds proportional to the Region's total contribution towards the total cost of acquiring the property;

8 May 4,2012 TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL PROPERTY PROJECT UPDATE, PART LOTS 8,9 AND 10, CONCESSION 8 ALB, TOWN APPENDIX II And further, that the said proceeds from the sale of the acquired lands shall be returned to the Land Securement Capital Project; And further, that $30,000 be set aside within Land Securement Capital Project to facilitate securement of conservation easements and land donations brought forward to the Greenlands Securement Subcommittee and Regional Council to bring the total available funding for these purposes to $50,000 in the Landowner Outreach, Conservation Easement and Land Donations Pilot Project; And further, that should Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), TRCA and/or Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust (ORMLT) identify additional properties for securement in 201 0, project proposals for those properties be brought forward to the Greenlands Securement Subcommittee (GSSC) for consideration on a case-by-case basis. Carried

9 - I - TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL PROPERTY PROJECT UPDATE, PART LOTS 8,9 AND 10, CONCESSION 8 ALB, TOWN APPENDIX Ill Pictures of Montessori School Property Structures One Cabin Recommended for Demolition

10 ygl- \2) -2- TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL PROPERTY PROJECT UPDATE, PART LOTS 8,9 AND 10, CONCESSION 8 ALB, TOWN APPENDIX Ill Dining. Hall - Vandalism 2011

11 %-\I -3- TORONTO AND REGION CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL PROPERTY PROJECT UPDATE, PART LOTS 8,9 AND 10, CONCESSION 8 ALB, TOWN APPENDIX Ill