Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Alley Vacation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Seward council adopts ordinance vacating north–south alley for private repair by Fast Mart owner
Summary
The City of Seward on first and final readings approved Ordinance No. 2025-1 to vacate a north–south alley between 6th and 7th Streets, retaining utility easements and directing conveyance to the property owner who will repair the alley and driveway at his expense.
The Seward City Council on Tuesday passed Ordinance No. 2025-1, closing and vacating the north–south alley between 6th and 7th Streets from Bradford Street to Jackson Avenue and authorizing publication in pamphlet form.
City planning staff said business owner Rich Gokey of Fast Mart asked the city to vacate the alley to allow him to repave a parking area adjacent to his property. Tim (city staff) told the council the alley had not been maintained by the city and contains existing utilities including sewer and electric. He said the city will retain easements for those utilities even after vacating the alley.
The ordinance provides for a conveyance agreement to pass ownership to Gokey after the vacate is complete, at which time Gokey will repair the alley portion and driveway at his expense, city staff said. Tim said the applicant intends to maintain a walking path between the Civic Center and Fast Mart for pedestrian egress from the daycare to the Civic Center.
The planning commission recommended the vacation. No public comments were offered during the hearing. The ordinance was introduced, the statutory rule dispensed with, and the council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-1 as read. The clerk announced voting in favor by members recorded on the roll as Franciscato, Kaylor, Tanias, Colchman, Miller, Singleton, Streisand and Morgan, 8–0.
The ordinance text specifies the alley closure while preserving a utility easement; the city attorney’s office will prepare the conveyance agreement and title work prior to transfer. No timeline for the repair work was specified in the council discussion.
Planning and public-works staff will follow up on easement language and the conveyance documents before ownership transfers to the property owner, the city said.
