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Hot Springs approves vacation of small State Street right-of-way to allow fence, preserve handicap access
Summary
The Hot Springs City Board unanimously adopted Ordinance O-25-23 on May 6 to vacate roughly 3 feet of city right-of-way on State Street so the owner of 200 Pullman Avenue can fence a converted former church while retaining the sidewalk and handicap ramp access.
The Hot Springs City Board of Directors unanimously adopted Ordinance O-25-23 on May 6 to vacate a portion of the city right-of-way along State Street to allow the property owner of 200 Pullman Avenue to retain the sidewalk and install a perimeter fence while preserving handicap access.
Property owner Kim Everhart and petitioner Chelsea Everhart said they are converting the former church at 200 Pullman Avenue to a residence and requested the vacation so they could secure the property perimeter "while still maintaining access to the handicap ramp and allowing for safe fire egress from the bedrooms of the building," Chelsea Everhart told the board during the public hearing.
Assistant City Engineer Mike Hill reported that Miss Everhart acquired the building and that excavation during renovation required waterproofing of the foundation. Hill said initial engineering review found that sidewalks along State Street were privately placed and did not require city repair; however, a later survey showed a small portion of the privately placed sidewalk encroached on city right-of-way. "The city engineering department recommends that approximately 3 feet of right of way along State Street be vacated to allow her to retain the sidewalk and fence the yard," Hill said.
Neighbors who signed to speak — Florene Walker (207 Pullman Ave.) and Monique Davis (205 Pullman Ave.) — told the board they support the vacation and the property's renovation. Director Dudley Webb and others praised the owner's efforts to convert the building to housing and supported the measure. By roll call, the board voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.
The ordinance vacates a narrow strip of right-of-way along State Street; staff noted the sidewalk ends at the handicap ramp and then transitions into the Pullman Trail. The board did not specify additional conditions in the meeting minutes beyond maintaining safe pedestrian and fire egress access. The city engineering department will follow up on any administrative steps needed to record the vacation.
