Champlain Township has purchased .46 acres in the heart of Vankleek Hill’s residential area. Two lots, one with access to Derby Avenue and the other, which has a right-of-way through to Main Street, are zoned Residential (R1) and Commercial Core (CC).
Municipal council did three readings of a bylaw to approve the land purchase for $95,000. The two lots were listed at $129,000 and a stipulation was that they be sold together.
Champlain Township Mayor Normand Riopel says a councillor brought forward the idea of purchasing the land but its future use has yet to be determined.
“We did have two reasons for the purchase,” said Riopel. “One reason is that the land could potentially be used to relieve the parking situation on Main Street and the second reason is that the land is adjacent to the water tower. If we ever had to replace the tower, we now have the land and we would not have to expropriate land from anyone,” Riopel said.
“It is a good investment for the municipality and we will see what happens as we move forward,” Riopel ended. “Who knows . . . it could be a good space for the (Vankleek Hill) Farmers’ Market?”
