The April 13, 2026 Belleville council meeting’s agenda included a proposed Bylaw 2026-046 that would:
Declare a valuable piece of City-owned parkland “surplus” (no longer required for municipal purposes), and
Transfer it to two private citizens – Gerald Anthony Dirocco and Suzanne Elizabeth Dirocco – the owners of the neighbouring land for $0.
Councillors did not get to discuss the proposed bylaw due to it being a tabling motion. The land giveaway had previously been discussed in a closed (in-camera) meeting.
Councillor Kathryn Brown asked that the decision be tabled pending a full staff report for further council review. A recorded vote was requested by Councillor Kelly Henderson. The motion passed in a 5-4 vote with Mayor Neil Ellis breaking the tie in favour of delaying any bylaw decision for a later date.
Councillor Kathryn Brown moved to table the motion
I’d like to table the item and refer it to staff to evaluate the process that was used for this piece of property and what, if any, potential there would be to address in a way that the neighborhood as a whole would benefit from this so I’d like to table it if I can.
Councillor Kathryn Brown
Motion
Record: BC-260413-18
2026-046: A By-law to Declare Surplus and Convey to the Abutting Owner lands legally described as PIN 40477-0092 (LT) Lot 1 & 3, Part Lots 2, 4 & 5, Registered Plan 17, City of Belleville, County of Hastings (South John Street)
2026-046: A By-law to Declare Surplus and Convey to the Abutting Owner lands legally described as PIN 40477-0092 (LT) Lot 1 & 3, Part Lots 2, 4 & 5, Registered Plan 17, City of Belleville, County of Hastings (South John Street)
That Bylaw Number 2026-046 be tabled and referred to staff to evaluate the process including determination whether options are available that would benefit the neighbourhood as a whole.
Moved by: Councillor Kathryn Brown
Seconded by: Councillor Paul Carr
Result: Carried
Open Council analysis
Outcomes:
Not given away, contaminated (status quo) – public has access to 1 acre of green space
Given away, contaminated – public loses access to 1 acre of green space, owner must remediate property before development
Not given away, not contaminated – public has access to 1 acre of green space and value is much higher than $0 which Belleville benefits from
Given away, not contaminated – public loses access to 1 acre of green space, value is much higher than $0 which private citizen benefits from
Outstanding questions:
Who initiated/requested the transfer? Owner of neighbouring land Gerald Anthony Dirocco and Suzanne Elizabeth Dirocco
What is the purpose of the transfer?
Residents would lose access to a public green space. What benefit does the City – and by extension, the public receive in return?
Is the property considered Class Three under Bylaw 2022-133? Yes according to the Manager of Realty and Property Services.
When was the land last inspected for contamination by the City? 1973.
When was the land’s value last appraised?
Has the City or transferee conducted recent borehole analysis and if so, what were the findings?
What agreements have been established with the transferee regarding site remediation?
Does Bylaw 2026-046 follow the intent of Bylaw 2022-133, Public Notice Policy and Accountability and Transparency Policy regarding public knowledge and notification?
The City will be open, accountable, and transparent to its stakeholders in its financial dealings as required under the Municipal Act. Some examples of how the City provides such Accountability and Transparency are:
• Acquisition and sale of land
Belleville’s Public Notice Policy commits to doing the minimum required by law to notify the public, and however they see fit otherwise.
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