The opportunity for two local businesses to purchase additional land on the backend of their respective properties is one step closer to becoming a reality. During the regular meeting of Meadow Lake city council held Monday (June 24), second reading was given to a road closure bylaw while a separate resolution also directs administration to draft the necessary land sales agreements and associated bylaws.

“The idea of closing and selling the undeveloped lane adjacent to Woodland Inn and Lazar Equipment first arose in 2023, with SaskTel’s proposal to construct a communication tower behind Woodland Inn,” explained planning and development manager Neil Marsh in his official recommendation to council. “Due to the utilities located in the undeveloped lane, SaskTel later withdrew its proposal; however, during the public notice period the adjacent landowners expressed interest in following through with the purchase. At council’s direction, administration has investigated the implications of such a transaction and believes an agreement can be reached with said property owners.” Marsh went on to note the overall objective is to arrive at a solution that is in the best interests of the city, the adjacent landowners and any other affected stakeholders.

“The proposal is to formally close the undeveloped lane, and amalgamate the land into the adjacent private property, including a small portion of the city park land to the east of the lane to make the property line congruous,” Marsh added. This would result in straightening the east boundary, selling one parcel along with part of another to the Woodland Inn, selling another parcel, as well as part of the previous one to Lazar Equipment and also registering easements for access to buried city utilities. Marsh also said the proposal has several advantages.

“The city has no plans to develop the lane and at present these parcels have little practical value to the public,” he stated. “The west edge of the city’s open space land (sports field) is problematic for maintenance and has limited value for public use owing to the placement of the power line. These combined parcels would have value to the adjacent commercial landowners for surface use, even though the city will maintain a right of access for the maintenance of buried services. As private property, the lands will generate a small amount of tax revenue. Boundaries, access control and maintenance responsibilities will be clarified. The new owners will be at liberty to construct suitable fences along the new property lines.” Meanwhile, the proposal presented to the interested parties (Lazar and Woodland) will include a fair price for the land based on its assessed value.

“Administration believes the next step is to draft sales agreements and execute them with the parties,” Marsh said. The sales are expected to be finalized some time in the fall. “The most important considerations are the city continue to have access to these lands for utility maintenance purposes, and the lands be used in a manner that makes sense and hopefully is of mutual benefit to the city, the public, and adjacent landowners,” Marsh said. “Administration has now completed the necessary research and preparations, and now request council’s decision either to proceed or to abandon the project and maintain the status quo.”

Second reading of the lane closure bylaw, as well as the motion directing administration to draft sales agreements were made by councillor Marty Bishop and seconded by councillor Tom Harrison, and subsequently carried.