MAPLETON – The township has decided to sell surplus land just outside Drayton.
Though there is no street frontage, the mailing address for the land is listed as 7275 Sideroad 16.
At the Oct. 27 council meeting, CAO Manny Baron explained that after purchasing the plot, the township conducted a study and discovered native artifacts like arrowheads on the lot.
“We fenced it off … since that time, which has been several years,” he said.
“Now we go in, open the fence, cut the lawn, leave, close the fence and off we go.”
After receiving a legal opinion, the township learned its only obligation to the land is to ensure the purchaser doesn’t dig up what is buried.
He said the party agreement needs to state, “that they’re not to dig and uncover that,” Baron said.
Over the years, Culp’s Lawn Care has asked about purchasing the parcel to store machinery.
“There’s really nothing stopping us from getting rid of the parcel,” Baron said.
“Everything that was discovered is under the ground … We thought that we can get a little bit of revenue, not a whole lot, but also control expenses as it relates to mowing the lawn.”
Councillor Paul Douglas asked whether the township had considered giving any of the parcel to neighbouring residential landowners.
“At this time, we weren’t really planning on it, to be quite honest with you,” Baron said.
“Culp’s Lawn Care showed interest on a few occasions since I’ve been here and never from any of the homeowners.”
Douglas said his concern is for the residents who currently look out onto green space. If the sale happens those residents will be looking out on equipment.
Councillor Michael Martin said he thinks the sale is a great idea.
“We’ve seen proposals like this for surplus lands across the township from our staff in the past and I think this is another good example of identifying a piece and clearly the Culps want it,” Martin said.
“I think it works out well for everyone.”
Council passed a resolution declaring the land surplus and stating it can be sold to a “neighbouring landowner.”
