Council hears first readings on right-of-way conveyance to state highway division and alley abandonment petition

At the Jan. 27 meeting, Huntington City Council heard first readings on two property-related items: an ordinance to convey a non-controlled-access right-of-way to the West Virginia Division of Highways and an ordinance to vacate and abandon a portion of an alley in the Gideon District at the request of OEA Real Estate.

City staff described the right-of-way as a narrow parcel acquired from the Huntington Housing Authority during a past improvement project; staff said the parcel (about 350 feet long and 10 feet deep) is no longer needed by the city and should be conveyed to the West Virginia Division of Highways so the division can maintain it with adjacent roadways. The ordinance was presented as a first reading; council moved the item toward a later reading.

Miss Burns presented the alley-abandonment petition. The request would abandon the northern portion of a 10-foot alley that connects the 2000 block of Tenth Avenue to the 2000 block of Guthrie Court in Gideon District. OEA Real Estate, which owns property on both sides of the alley, asked for the abandonment to improve access to its building at 2007 Tenth Avenue; staff said no new structures will be built on the abandoned portion and that utility easements will remain in place.

An appraisal for the abandoned alley portion valued the property at $2,100 and a check is being held in the city’s legal office pending approval. The Huntington Planning Commission recommended approval of the abandonment in December; staff also recommended forwarding the petition to council. Council voted to move the item to second reading.

Neither item was finally adopted at the Jan. 27 meeting; both were advanced for further consideration.