Councillors want a bit more information before deciding if they should close a portion of the Inkerman Street road allowance between two properties on Henry Street in Palmerston.
On Aug. 20, councillors reviewed the request by Mike and Al Dobson to close the road allowance and to allow them to purchase it.
Clerk Barb Wilson said that after a check, she saw no reason why the municipality would want to keep the land.
Works Superintendent Norm Fisk pointed out the town would need to maintain an easement and right-of-way on the property for hydro and water and sewer services to an adjacent industrial property.
He asked if all the adjacent property owners had been notified.
Wilson pointed out the Dobsons own the properties on both sides of the road allowance.
Councillor Wayne Martin asked if the change would affect the use of the land as a traffic circle.
He said his understanding is the road allowance was opened in the first place so that trucks would not need to back onto Highway 23.
“Why would they want to close it, when they fought to have it opened,” asked councillor Rick Hembly.
“They want to have it closed, then own it themselves,” Fisk suggested.
Wilson noted that a municipal easement for services would be registered on title, and thus negate any building on the site.
Councillor Dave Turton asked if that meant the allowance is going to be grassed over or gated off.
“I think we just need to have it clarified,” Martin said.
Mayor David Anderson suggested his belief is the proposal is simply to have more control over the property.
He added that it would still need to go through the official process, including a declaration of the land as surplus, and then the sale process.
Anderson recommended deferring the matter until September to give the proponents a chance to provide more of an explanation.
