Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parkland Alley Closure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council told alley closure at Madsen (Matson) Park would consolidate park parcels for bond‑funded improvements
Summary
Planning staff told the council the portion of alley inside Matson Park has been incorporated into the park, is unused for vehicular access, and can be closed under state code to consolidate parcels so bond‑funded park improvements can proceed; no final action was taken.
Planning staff presented an alley closure request for a portion of alley that lies entirely inside Matson Park so the parcels that comprise the park can be consolidated and park improvements funded by the parks and open space bond can proceed.
Principal planner Riley Hall told the council the alley segment is approximately 297 feet long and 15.5 feet wide, "has been fully incorporated into Matson Park as part of a grassy multipurpose field and a basketball court, and there are no nearby properties that rely on it for access." He said closure is regulated by state code "72‑5‑10545 and 7," which allows an alley to be closed and converted to another public use, and that the city must follow the early notification process in city code 21A‑10 including a 45‑day public comment period.
Why it matters: Consolidating the parcels will allow the city to issue building permits and move forward with planned improvements funded by the parks, trails and open space general obligation bond. Hall said the planning division held a virtual open house and posted materials on its website and had sent notices to the Fair Park and Poplar Grove community councils and all property owners within 300 feet; as of the work session the planning division had not received public comment on the proposal.
What the council was told and did: staff said the alley north of the park is not included in the closure request; the proposed closure covers only the alley within Matson Park boundaries. Several council members expressed support for consolidation within the park so bond funds will be used on property the city controls. No formal adoption occurred during the work session; planning staff will return an ordinance for council consideration.
Ending: The council has the authority under state code to close the alley if it finds the alley is not necessary for vehicular travel or is needed to mitigate injury to public land resources; staff will return the item for formal action after the required notice period.
