Land oversight will cost Hamilton taxpayers

(Update)

An oversight by city staff means Hamilton taxpayers are on the hook for the cost of buying back land that should never have been sold. The story sparked a heated exchange at Hamilton city council this morning.

The land at issue is a ten by 30 metre parcel located in a residential section of east Hamilton.

In 2002, council designated the space as park land. But city staff failed to recognize that decision when the land was sold last year to Habitat for Humanity for two dollars.

Residents in the area who had purchased homes on the premise the land would not be developed, reminded council of the earlier report. That prompted the city to buy back the land and reimburse Habitat for Humanity 27-thousand dollars for costs.

In the city the size of Hamilton, $27,000 is not a lot of money. But it was the fact the taxpayer has to pay up, that heated up debate at city hall.

Councillor Sam Merulla: “The error was made. It’s a very minor error compared to what it would cost if we had to buy it back at market value. So if Habitat for Humanity wanted to play hardball, it could cost us a lot more to keep our word.”