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Council approves easement agreement for Harbor Point parcel, calls public hearing on street acceptance
Summary
The council approved a resolution authorizing an easement agreement with Utica Harbor Point Development Corporation and Utica Harbor Lodging Group LLC and set a public hearing on accepting a future street in the Harbor Point development.
The Utica Common Council voted to approve a resolution authorizing an easement agreement with the Utica Harbor Point Development Corporation and Utica Harbor Lodging Group LLC, and called for a public hearing on accepting a yet-to-be-constructed street in the Harbor Point area.
Corporation Counsel Stephanie DiGiorgio explained the easements the city needs in relation to the parcel sale: “We need an easement for a water retention basin... we also need an easement for…it’s gonna loop to one of the trails on the property... and then also there will be some roads developed, so we will also need an easement for access and infrastructure,” she said during council discussion.
DiGiorgio said the harbor is in the process of selling a portion of property to the lodging group and that the easements are in the city’s favor, allowing the city access for infrastructure and a retention basin. Council members discussed clarifying language to note the public/private distinction between the Utica Harbor Point Development Corporation (a public body) and Utica Harbor Lodging Group LLC (a private entity); a council amendment to identify one party as a public corporation was made and recorded.
The council also voted to call for a public hearing on accepting a street dedication in the Harbor Point area and to refer the matter to the planning board for its report; the public hearing date was set for April 2 (the first council meeting in April, per council motion). The council discussed that the street has not yet been constructed but the hearing and referral will move the process forward.
Why this matters: The easements secure city access to stormwater infrastructure, trail connections and future public streets on property being conveyed by the harbor entity. Council members emphasized the public/private distinction when discussing maintenance responsibilities once a street is accepted as a public roadway.
Ending: The council recorded roll-call adoption of the easement resolution and the public hearing resolution; the planning board will prepare a report and council staff will finalize the legal descriptions and street name prior to final acceptance.
