Committee recommends accepting a 0.03-acre parcel on Parsley Boulevard from developer in lieu of sidewalk construction

The Cheyenne Public Services Committee voted May 5 to recommend acceptance of a small parcel (about 0.03 acres) donated to the city by Sloan Lake LLC for future Parsley Boulevard reconstruction and greenway extension.

Jean (Jeanie) Shrednick, Parks and Greenway Planner, said the parcel was requested as part of site and engineering review for a proposed warehouse project and was offered in lieu of constructing a disconnected segment of sidewalk or greenway. Shrednick said the Cheyenne MPO’s long-range Parsley Boulevard study identified future construction needs and that the city’s engineering and planning teams concluded the narrow parcel would be useful when Parsley reaches design phase.

An appraisal the staff referenced placed the parcel’s value at about $1,722. “We think it’ll be useful someday when we get to reconstructing Parsley, and it probably makes sense to take that on,” Shrednick said. Committee members questioned whether accepting the parcel obligates the city to build and noted sidewalk construction is more expensive than the parcel value. City Engineer Tom Cobb clarified the parcel is not adjacent to the applicant’s development and that the city would typically accept a fee-in-lieu for sidewalk on lots not ready for sidewalk construction.

Doctor Aldridge expressed hesitation about accepting parcels in lieu of constructed improvements because small disconnected sidewalks can fall into disrepair and impose maintenance obligations on the city. Cobb cited a nearby example of an unused segment of sidewalk that has since deteriorated.

The committee approved the recommendation to accept the parcel and will forward the resolution to the City Council for formal adoption.