Committee reviews amendment to century‑old gas easement; city to seek first reading in April

The Planning and Development Committee on March 24 reviewed a proposed amendment to a utility easement with Columbia Gas Transmission that would replace a segment of a 1924 gas easement with a new alignment.

Chair Swank displayed a map showing city property near Little Fish Brewery and the route of the existing gas easement. Director Stone (administration) told the committee that the gas company sought to release an older easement and obtain a new easement in exchange, returning the old easement area to city ownership. The administration said the agreement addresses city concerns including protection of existing water and sewer lines, tree removal compensation and limits on the released easement.

A resident involved with regional bikeway planning asked about potential impacts to a bikeway spur running near the easement. The administration said Director Stone assured the work would be completed by horizontal boring and would not disturb the bikeway or river. The transcript notes that state and federal regulators — PUCO, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers — will need to sign off on the project and that the administration has negotiated protections for city infrastructure.

Swank said the item will appear on the first reading agenda the first Monday in April. The committee did not adopt the easement amendment at the March 24 meeting; administration representatives said the negotiated instrument includes protections for water and sewer lines and compensation for removed trees.