Commission vacates small utility easement so Hampton Inn can use area for parking garage

The City Commission voted to vacate a public-utility easement Aug. 5 to accommodate a parking-garage connection for the property being converted to a Hampton Inn. City Engineer and Director of Public Works Brian Johnson described the request as a small “notch out” created on an earlier plat so telecommunications and other utilities could enter a building from the alley without being in the alleyway. He said the notch measured roughly 3 feet by 20 feet and was originally created to allow outside entry of telecommunications lines; the new hotel building and parking garage would displace that alignment. “This little notch out was, created for all of those utilities just come in there, with a new building now,” Johnson said. Staff said the easement vacation was advertised for 21 days in accordance with state statute, that no utilities currently occupy the right of way to be vacated and that utility providers responded to the notice and were supportive. The commission approved Ordinance No. 7767 vacating the easement in the 1200 block alley between Laramie Street and Morrow Street; the motion passed on roll call with four affirmative votes.