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Monte Vista council debates buying small lot at north end of Sickle Street; no action taken
Summary
City staff briefed the Monte Vista City Council on Jan. 2 about a request from property owners to sell a small lot at the north end of Sickle Street to the city; councilors voiced concerns about marshy terrain, lack of clear municipal use and access issues and requested more information before deciding.
City staff briefed the Monte Vista City Council on Jan. 2 about a request from property owners to sell a small lot at the north end of Sickle Street to the city, and councilors expressed concerns about buying land without a clear municipal use.
The request came from the Thornberrys, who have previously worked with the city on a different neighborhood transaction, staff said. According to the presenter, the assessor’s appraised value for the parcel is $14,000 and the owners asked the city to consider purchasing it for $2,000 and returning it to the city’s ownership. The city already owns two adjoining parcels in that area.
Councilors said the parcel is low, wooded and “swampy” and would require substantial fill to build on. “Without a purpose for it, we’re throwing good money after bad,” Councilor Watson said, summarizing a view several council members voiced. Council members suggested possible uses such as a small open space or passive park but questioned whether that justified spending tax revenue on the purchase.
Council discussion included questions about lot size and ownership of adjacent strips that could provide access; staff showed a map during the meeting and confirmed nearby parcel ownership by Hector Segola and by Jacob and Reagan Ward. One councilor noted the city purchased a nearby parcel three years earlier to address a landlocked lot and said access concerns can make an acquisition useful in limited circumstances.
No motion to purchase the lot was made; council asked staff to provide larger, clearer maps and additional information, including property tax data and a clearer explanation of whether acquiring the lot would provide legal access to other city‑owned parcels. Council also suggested the owners consider offering the parcel to the public before the city purchases it. Staff and council agreed to bring more information back to a future meeting.
Speakers identified the parcel as being near Sickleson and Truman streets; staff and council estimated the lot’s size informally at “about 4,000 square feet” (varying remarks placed dimensions around 40–50 feet for one side).
