Hackman Lumber seeks vacation of excess right of way; aldermen hear first reading

Hackman Lumber presented a petition at the Board of Aldermen meeting on Sept. 2 seeking vacation of excess right of way south of the lumberyard, where a prior roadway alignment exists. Aldermen held a first reading of Bill 5,291 and took public questions; no final vote was taken. Why it matters: Vacation of right of way would remove a city easement interest and allow the property owner to expand the lumber yard footprint; the city will retain rights related to utilities and a 60-foot easement where utilities exist. What was presented: The property representative identified the parcel as being owned by Hackman Lumber and said the request was to vacate a city-dedicated right of way of roughly 0.58 acres (packet language referenced approximately a half-acre). The company said the primary intent is to expand usable yard area adjacent to the lumberyard. The city's attorney and staff confirmed the city is vacating only the right-of-way interest, not conveying underlying fee ownership; the city will maintain rights for utilities where applicable. Process: Alderman Cleave sponsored the bill for first reading. Staff and the owner discussed whether the vacation would create an additional exit or be used for storage and the presence of utilities under the former roadway. The council did not vote on final adoption; staff said the item will return at a later meeting for a formal vote after the first-reading process is complete. Quotations and attribution: “It's just an exit for them to exit their — exit out,” a property representative replied when asked about use; “the city is not the owner of that land, but the city has a right of way,” city legal staff said when clarifying ownership. What to watch: The board will consider final passage at a future meeting. If adopted, the ordinance would vacate excess dedicated right of way while retaining easements for utilities as needed.