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City seeks vacation of right‑of‑way and utility easement at Midport America Park; commission approves with condition to preserve MidAmerican lines
Summary
The Waterloo Planning and Zoning Commission approved the City of Waterloo's request to vacate an unused public right‑of‑way and utility easement in Midport America Park, subject to adjusting the vacated area to preserve MidAmerican Energy’s existing gas and electric lines or to allow their relocation.
The Waterloo Planning and Zoning Commission on June 10 approved the City of Waterloo’s request to vacate a public right‑of‑way and utility easement on Lots 19, 20 and 22 of Midport America Park Plat Number 3, east of 2535 Midport Boulevard, subject to preserving an easement for existing MidAmerican Energy lines if the utility cannot be relocated.
Gautman, planning staff, told the commission the right‑of‑way had been dedicated when Midport Boulevard was planned but the road was ultimately built along a different alignment, so the city does not need the dedicated right‑of‑way. Staff said the vacate “would not appear to have a negative impact on vehicular or pedestrian traffic conditions in the area” and that the site is served by West Airline Highway (a minor arterial) and Midport Boulevard (a local street).
Staff noted utilities in the area: a 12‑inch water main in the northwest corner and parallel to West Airline Highway, a 12‑foot sanitary sewer south of the site, and a 30‑inch storm sewer along Midport Boulevard. Planning staff reported MidAmerican Energy informed staff it has both gas and electric lines passing through the utility easement the city is proposing to vacate. Because of that, staff recommended the vacate be approved only if the vacated area is adjusted to exclude the area required by MidAmerican Energy for its existing lines; staff also said the city is exploring relocation with MidAmerican Energy so the city could vacate the entire area if relocation is possible.
Commissioner Schoberg moved approval with the condition that the vacated area be adjusted to reserve the area required by MidAmerican Energy for gas and electric lines. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Staff said Lot 20 is about 12.33 acres and that surrounding zoning is primarily industrial, with development in the area dating from the 1960s through the 2010s. The property lies within flood zone AE (100‑year floodplain) as shown on the Federal Insurance Administration’s flood insurance rate map, and staff recommended keeping any easement needed to protect existing utility infrastructure.
