Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves alley vacation and rezoning for 614 E. Seventh Ave.; perpetual easement required
Summary
Council approved first readings to vacate an unused alley and rezone 614 East Seventh Avenue to allow commercial neighborhood zoning, subject to perpetual transportation easement and utility reservations following staff concerns about right‑of‑way and FDOT land.
City Council approved ordinances on first reading to vacate a small alley adjacent to 614 East Seventh Avenue and to rezone the property to commercial neighborhood, after staff and the applicant agreed conditions to preserve public access and utility easements.
Ross Hammonds of development coordination presented the staff report and said staff objected to the vacating request because certain utility easement reservations (including TECO) and tree‑preservation conditions must be addressed if the council approves vacating the right of way. He said the existing right of way measures about 1,139 square feet.
Alex Shaler, the applicant’s agent, told the council the applicant seeks about 5 feet of the alley so the lot can meet the 60‑foot minimum width required for commercial zoning. "The alley is not utilized by both adjoining properties," Shaler said, and he proposed a perpetual transportation easement "across the entire alley ... that runs with the land" to preserve public access and address transportation staff concerns that the vacating would create a dead end that connects to FDOT land to the north.
Shaler and owner Christopher Horaki said the alley is unimproved and largely inaccessible now: guardrails and shipping containers on FDOT land block access from the north and east. The applicant agreed to include language in the ordinance providing a perpetual transportation easement and to reserve any required utility easements to address staff objections.
Council action and process: Councilwoman Viera Carlson moved the vacation ordinance for first reading; Councilwoman Hertek seconded. The motion carried unanimously, and first reading and adoption were scheduled for July 17. The companion rezoning (REZ2503) to commercial neighborhood was presented for first reading the same evening; the council moved the rezoning ordinance to first reading and it also carried unanimously, with adoption scheduled for July 17.
Why it matters: the easement language and utility reservations were added to prevent the creation of a blocked or unusable right of way and to ensure the city and utilities retain necessary access. The council record shows the vacation and rezoning approvals are conditioned on the perpetual transportation easement and compliance with tree preservation and site design standards required in Chapter 27.
