Commission recommends vacating remnant rights-of-way near I‑80 for railway parcel consolidation

The Planning Commission on July 23 recommended that City Council approve a street vacation request for multiple remnant right-of-way pieces that bisect a parcel near 6500 West and the eastbound I‑80 freeway. The remnant strips, created when I‑80 was built through an early 20th-century subdivision, are functionally unusable as public streets; the applicant (Salt Lake, Garfield & Western Railway) seeks to consolidate them into the adjoining parcel. Staff recommended approval with conditions and commissioners voted to forward a positive recommendation.

Why it matters: vacating obsolete remnant rights-of-way permits consolidation of an industrial/rail-served parcel and reduces administrative complexity. Staff recommended conditions to preserve utility access and to require parcel consolidation and engineering review for addressing addressing future addresses and utility easements.

Key points - Background: the parcel was platted in 1911 (Maplewood Addition), with rights-of-way that were severed when I‑80 was constructed. The remnant pieces have no practical street connection because of the freeway and adjacent railway. - Staff recommendation and conditions: staff recommended forwarding approval to City Council with two conditions: the property owner must reserve an easement in favor of Salt Lake City for utilities and related maintenance, and the vacated right-of-way portions must be consolidated through a parcel consolidation application (engineering approval required and a new address assigned as appropriate). - Department comments: Public Utilities asked for an easement for future utilities; Engineering noted address and consolidation requirements and generally advised caution on vacations that remove potential public connections.

Applicant and commission action - Applicant counsel Ashley Peck (representing Salt Lake, Garfield & Western Railway) said the applicant had no additional presentation and requested favorable consideration. - Motion to recommend approval to City Council passed (7 yes; 1 abstention). Commissioner Christiansen moved the recommendation with the two staff conditions; Commissioner Veil seconded. Commissioner Rosenfield abstained, saying they did not feel confident enough to support or oppose the disposal.

Next steps: the Planning Commission’s positive recommendation will be transmitted to City Council, which has final authority to adopt the vacation ordinance. If approved, the applicant will be required to record the utility easement and complete parcel consolidation per the approved conditions.