Council vacates utility easement and approves plat changes to allow townhome construction in Car Subdivision

The Marshall City Council closed a public hearing and approved a resolution to vacate a utility easement in the Car Subdivision to accommodate a replat that will reconfigure six lots into five for construction of twin townhomes.

Jason Anderson, the city’s director of public works, said the easement at the property line between Lots 15 and 16 in Carr Subdivision 1, Block 3, lies at the center of where a proposed building would sit. He said the developer intends to construct five larger lots (down from six) to accommodate the twin townhome units and that the plat will also define new easements in appropriate locations. Anderson said Marshall Municipal Utilities (MMU) has a streetlight conduit and wire in the easement; the developer must pay to relocate that infrastructure.

After no public comment, the council closed the hearing and approved the resolution to vacate the easement. The council then considered and approved the preliminary and final plats required because the parcels crossed two subdivisions; staff recommended approval and flagged no concerns. The council approved the plats by unanimous vote.

The approvals are procedural steps that enable the developer to pursue building permits and utility relocations; the council did not take action on building permits or developer financing. Staff will work with MMU and the developer to relocate conduit and to record the new plat.