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Council reviews surplusing of 1.029-acre parcel near South Fork Park; trail realignment planned
Summary
Staff proposed placing a 1.029-acre parcel adjacent to South Fork Park on the surplus property list after the previous lessee requested deeded ownership under a 99-year lease agreement; city will reserve an access easement and work with parks to realign a trail to maintain hiker access while discouraging vehicle access to water infrastructure.
The council reviewed a proposal to place a 1.029-acre parcel adjacent to South Fork Park on the city’s surplus property list and to authorize the mayor to dispose of the property at the lessee’s request.
Property Administrator Tara Riddle explained the parcel was originally acquired in 2017 in a land exchange with SKA LLC (the Giles family) to secure right-of-way and easement needs. The city entered a 99-year lease with the property owners with a provision that the city would deed the parcel to them when they requested it; the lessee has now asked to receive the deed.
Riddle said department reviews recommended surplusing the parcel but that the city must preserve an access easement to reach adjacent water infrastructure. She said parks staff will design a new trail alignment through South Fork Park to preserve and enhance pedestrian access to Bunnells Fork and to discourage vehicular access that could threaten water system infrastructure.
Riddle said the parks department expects to begin trail work as early as fall, and staff discussed signage and the gate that currently allows pedestrian but not routine vehicular access. Councilors asked whether horse trailers would be accommodated; staff said they would advise horse users to use the established equestrian trailhead where parking is suitable and that the new trailhead at the road could accommodate trailer parking for day use.
The council was asked to move the resolution to the next meeting for formal action on surplusing the parcel and granting disposal authority to the mayor; staff confirmed the item would be placed on the council agenda for a vote in two weeks.
