Public Lands committee schedules hearings, holds sale of Myrtle Avenue lot and sends North End Field sale to planning board

The City Council’s Public Lands Committee on April 14 handled several property matters: it set a public hearing on a lease renewal with the Prospect Beach Fish and Game Club, placed the city-owned lot at 37 Myrtle Avenue on hold pending further information and a potential deed restriction, and referred a proposed sale of North End Field to the Planning & Zoning Commission under Conn. Gen. Stat. §8-24.

Prospect Beach Fish and Game Club: Council members discussed a proposed lease renewal of a small grassy strip near the beach the club uses; the lease amount shown in the file is $1 per year. Mayor Dorinda Borer and committee members said the club maintains a small parcel and a ramp used by city fire and police boats and helps with upkeep. Councilman Gary Donovan said he would obtain a clearer description of what the club maintains and why the lease has historically been set at $1. Councilwoman Melton and others raised insurance and liability questions; the draft lease language cited minimum insurance of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence (and $5,000 property coverage). Several members requested updated documentation of insurance limits, parking capacity, and a clearer description of the pump-house/storage structure the club maintains. The committee set a public hearing on the lease renewal for April 28 at 6:55 p.m.

37 Myrtle Avenue (offer from estate of Richard Shippy): The committee reviewed an offer of $15,000 from the Shippy estate to buy a narrow city-owned lot at 37 Myrtle Avenue. City property staff said the parcel was acquired by tax-lien foreclosure in 2005, has been largely unused and may be landlocked relative to the two rear parcels the estate owns (identified as 42 Highland and 20 Highland). The assessor noted the lot’s assessed value is $48,002.30. Committee members expressed concern about buildability, marketability and potential loss of future tax revenue; they asked for clarification about whether the lot is legally buildable and requested the identity of the estate’s executor and an explicit deed restriction if the city sells the parcel for access only. The committee agreed to hold the matter in committee and gather additional information before scheduling a hearing or action.

North End Field sale to University of New Haven: The committee unanimously approved an 8-24 referral to Planning & Zoning for a proposed sale of North End Field — a 3.2-acre parcel composed of a 0.58-acre parcel at 1101 Campbell Avenue and a 2.6-acre former Baggett Street playground — to the University of New Haven for $500,000. Economic development director Steve Fontana and city staff said the parcel has limited redevelopment value because it offers a single 10-foot access point and may contain wetlands, which discouraged bidders when the city previously put the site out to bid. An appraisal and environmental reviews were completed and city staff said the parcel had received no bidders on earlier solicitations. Fontana said the negotiated transaction includes voluntary annual payments and pilot arrangements that will put the property on the tax rolls and provide recurring revenue rather than leaving the field idle and a continuing maintenance drain. Council members also noted UNH has offered community benefits including tuition assistance for public-safety staff and local students. The committee referred the sale to Planning & Zoning, which has 30 days under Conn. Gen. Stat. §8-24 to respond.

Ending: Committee chairs said they will return with requested documentation — insurance certificates and scope of club maintenance for the Prospect Beach lease, executor information and deed-restriction language for the Myrtle Avenue offer, and full appraisal/environmental files for the North End Field sale — before taking final action.