Council's decision Monday night to put off the sales of three city lots was welcome news to former residents of the escarpment and those hoping to see a park in the area.

Council voted to defer selling 706 and 708 Ogilvie St. as well as 67 Wann Rd. until at least March 24.

Selling off 67 Wann Rd. in Porter Creek as a residential property has drawn little public attention.

However, former residents of the escarpment and a number currently living downtown have been vocal in their opposition to the sale of the Ogilvie Street lots.

The two downtown properties were among the land sold to the city in the 1970s as part of a program to move people away from the clay cliffs, amid concerns about the stability of the cliffs.

There was never a full expropriation of the land in the area.

Many former residents, though, say they were led to believe it would be expropriated. Consequently, they sold their properties there to the city, assuming the land would not be redeveloped.

More recent studies show there is land along the escarpment that can handle development. Thus, the recommendation was brought forward to sell the two properties zoned for mixed use commercial.

It's been argued by both former residents of the area as well as others that if the site is to be used, it should be developed into something for the community.

As Sally Wright, a member of the Escarpment Parks Society, told council, the area has been viewed by many as a park-in-waiting.

Mayor Dan Curtis has said he will host a public meeting on the sales of both the Wann Road and Ogilvie Street lots.

The 2,489 square metre Wann Road property had been proposed to have a minimum upset price of $230,000. It would go to the highest bidder.

The Ogilvie Street properties were proposed to be sold together – with 873 square metres in total – for a minimum upset price of $395,000 with the sale going to the highest bidder.

When the issue comes back in March, council will decide whether to continue with that plan or make changes.

Last night after Coun. Mike Gladish proposed the amendment to defer the matter to March 2014, Coun. Dave Stockdale questioned why it would be postponed.

Curtis explained there is no urgency to get the lots up for sale.

He suggested the lengthy deferral would give council time to look at the issue, allow for the meeting he has planned but hasn't been able to host yet, and see where the real estate market is in March.

As he pointed out, there are currently a number of properties up for sale throughout the city in developments like Crocus Glen, Brookside and the Whistle Bend subdivision, among others.

Curtis said he remains committed to hosting his meeting with the former residents and getting the community's input on the matter.

"We have a lot of time now,” Curtis said.

Other council members noted their support to wait on a decision, also highlighting the importance of the meeting before they make up their minds on the matter.

Coun. Kirk Cameron questioned whether Curtis is planning to host one meeting that would focus on the sale of all three properties or have separate sessions dealing with the two areas separately.

Curtis replied he has planned for one meeting. He also noted he's willing to look at options such as a two-hour meeting with an hour devoted to each area, or two separate meetings if that's preferred.

As Cameron pointed out, there are very different issues facing each area.

Pat Ellis is a former resident of the escarpment area who sold her property to the city in the 1970s thinking there would be an expropriation. She said this morning the deferral is good news.

"I'm so pleased,” she said, stating it will give council time to get a better sense of the history of the area.

Over the years, Ellis has collected numerous documents, newspaper clippings and so on detailing the story of the land going back to the land sales of the 1970s.

The city, she noted, has an opportunity to make the escarpment area a community space from one end of downtown to the other.

Wright, who was on-hand at last night's meeting, also said she is pleased with council's decision.

"It's an opportunity,” she said.

News of the possible sale has resulted in a growing interest to make it a community space by perhaps expanding the adjacent community gardens, among a number of other ideas.

"It was taken away from people once, it should not be (sold) to others,” she said.

Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu was absent from Monday's council meeting.