Legislative History: Enacted October 16, 2018 (CPOL.-380-493)
Last Review Date: July 25, 2023
Service Area Lead: Director, Planning and Development
1. Policy Statement
To establish a Council policy for the evaluation and acquisition of surplus school sites.
2. Definitions
Not applicable.
3. Applicability
This policy applies to the Corporation of the City of London for the evaluation of sites for potential municipal acquisition that have been identified by School Boards as surplus to school needs.
4. The Policy
4.1 Municipal Needs
Surplus school sites will be evaluated for acquisition for one or more of the following municipal needs:
- As a site for an affordable housing project. This will be the first need evaluated.
- As a site for a community centre
- As a site to address an identified parkland deficiency
4.2 Evaluation Process
An administrative review team representing Service Areas and Agencies responsible for affordable housing, parkland development and community centre development shall be established to evaluate sites within the City for potential acquisition that have been identified as surplus to a School Board’s needs.
Criteria for the municipal acquisition of an identified surplus school site will be established.
Staff will report the results of the evaluation if the site meets one or more identified municipal needs, and prepare a recommendation to Council to acquire the site. If the site that is declared surplus does not meet an identified municipal need, it will not be recommended for acquisition.
4.3 Partnerships
The City may partner in the development of a site that has been recommended for acquisition in accordance with City policies regarding partnerships. Such partnerships may include the development of any portion of a site.
4.5 Sites Recommended for Acquisition
Sites that meet a municipal need will be recommended for acquisition, and a Source of Financing will be identified.
The City may consider the acquisition of sites that are larger than required to meet a municipal need, and may dispose of the portion not required for the municipal need to offset costs associated with the acquisition and development of the site.