About Realty Services
Realty Services acquires lands required by City departments for their particular needs and projects as well as lands required for future development. The Division is responsible for the administration and negotiation of all purchases of land, with/without buildings, for the Municipality. Realty Services also ensures that the long term interests of the community are considered and that the land is acquired in the fairest possible manner and at an equitable price.
Property Disposal
Realty Services disposes of all surplus lands, including industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential lots which are no longer required for a municipal purpose. Surplus property may be disposed of through public auction, public lottery, public tender, direct sale by city, land exchange, call for proposal and listing with a real estate broker. Land is sold at appraised market value.
Leases
The Realty Services Division is responsible for managing all leases of vacant land and office space, needed by various City Departments. The Division also leases City owned land (or buildings) to other governmental entities, non-profit corporations, private businesses and individuals.
Licence of Occupation (Encroachment Agreement)
The City owns parcels of land, including streets, lanes and parks. Formal approval is required from the City of Thunder Bay to protect the City from proposed or existing encroachments on these lands. An encroachment is defined as a portion of a building, retaining wall or other structure, which extends onto City property and the City has established a corporate policy for the processing of a Licence of Occupation Application for New Construction or Existing Encroachments. Owners of the encroachment are required to enter into a Licence of Occupation Agreement with the City or remove the encroachment. The owner must submit a completed application form, which form includes approvals from the City's utility providers and Engineering Division. An agreement will not be entered into without these approvals. The applicant must pay a $250.00 application fee, survey costs (if required), an annual $50 fee and provide appropriate commercial or residential insurance coverage.
Easements
Realty Services is responsible for the administration of all easement documentation for the Municipality. The documentation ensures that the Municipality has a legal interest to use the land of a private property owner (or vice versa) as the case may be. Easements are obtained by the City to protect the interests of servicing departments and agencies (e.g., Thunder Bay Hydro, Telephone, Gas, Engineering, Shaw Cable, etc.) to permit access to and placement of services (i.e., cable installation, drainage, gas lines, street lighting, etc.). The Division also processes easement reduction applications submitted by property owners who wish to create more buildable area within their property by removing or reducing the area of the easement. Reductions will only be granted with the approval of all utility providers.
Street and Lane Closing
Realty Services is responsible for the closing and potential sale of any streets and lanes within the Municipality. The closing and sale of any streets and lanes is governed by the Municipal Act. Upon submission of a Street and Lane Closing Application, Realty analyzes the viability of the request, which includes input from servicing departments and agencies regarding the need to retain easement rights. The Division also responds to area residents concerns and/or objections regarding the closing. Council approvals are subsequently obtained and a survey is completed. Advertisements and a closing by-law are prepared and registered and transfer documents completed, all at the expense of the applicant.
Contact Information
Development Services Department
Realty Services Division, City of Thunder Bay
| Address: | 2nd Floor, Victoriaville Civic Centre 111 Syndicate Ave. South, P.O. Box 800 Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada P7C 5K4 |
| Tel: | (807) 622-LAND (5263) |
| Fax: | (807) 625-2977 |
| Hours: | Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30 |
| Email: |
realty@thunderbay.ca |
| Website: | http://www.thunderbay.ca/realty |
Eileen Lacey,
Manager
| Tel: |
(807) 625-2545 |
| Email: |
elacey@thunderbay.ca |
Joel DePeuter,
Property Agent
| Tel: | (807) 625-2540 |
| Email: |
jdepeuter @thunderbay.ca |
Gordon Sakiyama,
Property Agent
| Tel: | (807) 625-2477 |
| Email: |
gsakiyama@thunderbay.ca |
Lisa Zawadzki,
Property Agent
| Tel: | (807) 625-2527 |
| Email: |
lzawadzki@thunderbay.ca |
Kathy Charlton,
Property Agent
| Tel: |
(807) 625-3317 |
| Email: |
kcharlton@thunderbay.ca |
