A Powell River resident has made a request of City of Powell River Council to purchase a city road dedication that divides his property.
Joe Hargitt, who lives at 5362 Manson Avenue, appeared as a delegation at the October 24 city council meeting.
“We have a road dedication from the city that has gone back historically across our lot and two beside us,” said Hargitt. “The difference between our neighbours’ lots and ours is that ours is about 3.25 acres and this road dedication is very close to Manson Avenue, so we have more than two acres on the other side of that road dedication.
“When I started to enquire about building on that road dedication, it took some time to get the answer, but at the end of the day, we cannot build on it because it is road dedication.”
Hargitt said he then wanted to find out what the setbacks would be, and in the course of waiting for that, he realized that probably the best way to approach this was to come to council and ask the road dedication land could be purchased.
“The best place to build is on the road dedication, or at least very close to it,” said Hargitt. “We’ve also been told we can’t run any services over the road dedication, so it has really restricted where we can build. Our plan is to build a coach house there for my mother-in-law at some point in the near future, and this is to get the ball rolling in order to do that.”
Hargitt said he understands city staff members a lot of work on the table and that staff have left.
“I’m not in a huge hurry but we are hoping for your approval to get this started,” said Hargitt.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said it appears the ability to build on the other side of the road dedication is restricted and Hargitt said that was correct.
Councillor Jim Palm asked Hargitt if he had talked to staff and received any indication whether purchase of this road dedication would be possible.
Hargitt said in conversation with city staff, he understands there are about 25 similar lots around town. He said he knows there has been at least one where there was a developer looking to expand in the lots he had, so there is a precedent for it.
“I might be the first individual homeowner who has come to you with this situation,” said Hargitt. “We have a large lot, but we wouldn’t be able to do much beyond the road dedication. The road dedication just happens to be the best place for us to build.”
Palm asked city staff if they had any information regarding purchase of the property.
Chief financial officer Mallory Denniston said in speaking with director of planning services Jason Gow, his recommendation is, should this be something that city council is interested in, he would bring forward a report to start the process.
“I believe there are a number of steps for disposition of land,” said Denniston.
Elliott made a motion to direct staff to bring back a report with options for moving forward if council should decide to do so. Council voted unanimously supported the motion.
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