The Township of North Glengarry has taken the first step toward potentially disposing of two unused road sections in Maxville.
During its September 28 meeting, council unanimously declared the unopened portions of the King Street South Extension and Robertson Drive surplus to the Township’s needs.
The decision does not mean the properties are being sold. Chief Administrative Officer Michael Fawthrop told council that any future sale would require another decision by council, along with an appraisal of the properties.
The two road allowances have been on the books for decades. They were identified as future roads through an older subdivision plan but were never opened or used as public roads.
Township staff reviewed the properties and determined there is no current or expected need for the lands for transportation, municipal services, utilities or other Township purposes.
Fawthrop said development over the years has also reduced the potential usefulness of the King Street South road allowance. Properties have been built on both sides, while an existing parking lot occupies part of the right-of-way through an encroachment agreement.
He said the lands would not be suitable for development as individual residential lots or as part of a future subdivision.
“There is no real future marketability of these lands,” Fawthrop told council.
Agricultural property is located to the south of the area.
Deputy Mayor Carma Williams asked about the original purpose of the road allowances and whether development in the area had effectively eliminated the possibility of the roads ever being opened.
Councillor Jacques Massie asked whether another unopened road in Maxville, Joseph Street, could eventually be considered for a similar process.
Fawthrop said that property would require a separate review because nearby property owners may have legal access rights involving the unopened road. He also noted that some surrounding lands could have development potential in the future.
“That’s kind of a bigger discussion than the two we have before us today,” Fawthrop said.
Councillor Michael Madden also pointed out that there is another Robertson Drive on the east side of Maxville, between Katherine Street East and Peter Street.
The Robertson Drive included in the current decision is a separate, single-block section that is not shown on some maps.
With council’s decision, staff can now proceed with the steps needed to formally close the two road sections as public highways. That includes any required surveys, legal work, registrations and public notices.
If the Township later decides to sell the lands, an appraisal will be completed and the proposed sale will return to council for consideration.
For now, the properties remain under Township ownership. The decision simply recognizes that the two unopened road sections are no longer considered necessary for municipal purposes.