c. Does the subject alley contain sewers, and must the alley remain accessible for servicing?
The answer is NO.
d. Does the subject alley serve as the only vehicular means of access to rear parking areas and garages where the property has insufficient lot width for a side drive?
The answer is NO.
e. Does the subject alley contain Fire Department connections that are deemed to be necessary for firefighting access?
The answer is NO.
Based on the above, the Planning Division deems the portion of the north/south alley between Windsor Avenue and McDougall Street, south of Wyandotte Street East, abutting 241 Wyandotte Street East as shown on Drawing CC-1762 as “Dispensable”.
Typically, alleys are conveyed in equal halves to abutting property owners. In the case of this application, it is noted that the abutting commercial property at 257 Wyandotte St E is served by driveway access on McDougall St. Therefore, the recommendation is to close and convey the alley on Drawing CC-1762 of the alley to the applicant.
Risk Analysis:
The recommended closure will divest the City of associated liability risks and maintenance costs. The recommended closure poses no known risk to The Corporation of the City of Windsor.
Financial Matters:
For alleys abutting lands zoned Commercial CD3.6, $12.00 per square foot without easements and $6.00 per square foot with easements.
Consultations:
Consultations were held with Municipal Departments and Utility Companies, which resulted in the information found in attached Appendix “C”.
There were no objections from the municipal departments and utility companies for the requested alley closure.
Bell Canada, Cogeco Cable Systems Inc., MNSi, and Enwin Utilities have requested easements in the subject area of closure.
Notices of the meetings of the Development & Heritage Standing Committee and Council are published in the Windsor Star prior to each of the meetings. In addition, notice of each of the public meetings will be mailed to the abutting/affected property owners prior to the meetings.