Commission approves abandonment of Circle Court right-of-way to accommodate Fairview housing redevelopment, retains sewer easement

The Johnson City Regional Planning Commission on March 11 approved the abandonment of Circle Court’s public right-of-way to allow redevelopment of the Fairview housing site by the Johnson City Housing Authority, while explicitly retaining a public sewer easement across the same area.

Planning staff outlined the location adjacent to Eddie Williams Road and said the full length of Circle Court in the affected area would be repurposed for parking tied to the Fairview redevelopment. Staff said all internal and external utility agencies were notified and that no agency objected; staff recommended approval with a retained public sewer easement so utility lines could still be maintained.

Johnson City Housing Authority representative Roddy described the larger redevelopment: demolishing older 1950s-era buildings and replacing them with four new three-story buildings for a total of 96 units, similar in design to a recent Dunbar project. Roddy said the abandonment covers about 0.67 acres that will be reused for parking and driveway access for the new buildings.

Travis (staff) asked that motions specifically note retention of the public sewer easement; commissioners and staff confirmed that the abandonment would keep the sewer easement in place and that new civil plans will show any required new easements during construction and recording.

On roll call, commissioners voted to approve the right-of-way abandonment and to retain the public sewer easement: Commissioner Aldridge, yes; Commissioner Cooper, yes; Commissioner Dutton, yes; Commissioner Goodson, yes; Commissioner Kelly, yes; Commissioner Williams, yes; Chairman Degenhardt, yes.

Staff said new civil engineering and easement recording will follow as part of the redevelopment’s construction documents.