Guarded greeting

Lisa and Ghislain Goudreau want to build a new seafood restaurant on this lot on Lake Street in Picton. To do this they need to buy a small triangle of land centred by the patch of grass and shrubbery in the foreground above. They thought they had a deal but some on council weren’t so sure.

Council sends mixed signal to entrepreneurs looking to invest in Picton

Lisa and Ghislain Goudreau own a chunk of property between the Liquor Store and Millennium Trail in Picton. The couple plans to build a restaurant on the site specializing in fresh seafood. But due to a quirk in the way the parcels of land were carved out around that corner, the property—although on Lake Street—lacks deeded street frontage. Their bank won’t finance the project without 50 feet of street frontage on title, fearing the business could be boxed in at some point in the future.

The municipality has offered to sell the couple a small triangle of land about 50 feet by 50 feet by 150 feet to give the Goudreaus street frontage they need.

It is an odd-shaped stub of property that appears to be a remnant from previous lot creations and revisions. Currently the couple’s access their property across the triangle by way of a 14-foot right of way.

County officials reached a deal with the Goudreaus in which they will pay $800 for the remnant ($4.30 per square metre— the amount the municipality would pay to expand road right of way) plus the legal and survey costs related to the transaction. The sale, subject to council approval, would give the Goudreaus title to Lake Street frontage only. They may not use it to build or extend any structure.

It is the kind of agreement—particularly when the municipality is on the receiving end—that typically flows through council with nary a question. Not so with the Goudreaus’ proposed purchase.

Some councillors smelled something fishy with the deal. Some said they didn’t want the municipality to lose control of the triangle of land. Others suggested the municipality should retain this island of green amid the parking areas that line the corner to the Millennium Trail. Others thought County managers were selling the triangle too cheaply.

One councillor asked the proposed buyer if he would be willing to pay more for the remnant. That question elicited only blank stares and uncomfortable laughter.

The County’s finance chief Susan Turnbull defended the price, noting the property was of little use to anyone other than the Goudreaus and perhaps the Liquor Store.

Turnbull reminded the committee of council that it was the municipality’s stated objective to root out surplus property and dispose of it—preferably to individuals or organizations intending to use the property to generate economic activity. The Goudreaus’ plan, to open a restaurant that could in time employ between eight and 10 people, seemed to fit the bill. The couple currently owns and operates Kalays, a fresh seafood restaurant in Belleville.

Turnbull noted that the value to the municipality extends beyond the purchase price to enabling a business venture that would pay taxes and create jobs.

“We see this as an opportunity,” said Turnbull.

Not all shared this view. Ameliasburgh Councillor Janice Maynard wanted another opinion of the value of the triangle. Athol Councillor Jamie Forrester said he didn’t want the County giving away property.

But enough council members saw the merit in the transaction.

“It can only add value,” said Picton Councillor Bev Campbell. “It’s currently a bit of an eyesore. Anything that improves Lake Street is a good thing.”

Mayor Peter Mertens agreed.

“They already have a right of way,” explained Mertens. “This does nothing to expand the building envelope on their existing property. It merely gives them frontage on title.”

When the vote came, council clumsily welcomed a new business to Picton.