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Council reviews proposal to vacate a portion of Independence Street; appraisal sets conveyance cap at $9,250
Summary
Staff presented a request from Catawba Associates Centerville LLC to vacate an unimproved 40-foot strip of Independence Street right-of-way east of 404 East Federal Street. An appraisal found fair-market and contributory values of $9,250 and $9,000; town staff recommended easements and a restriction on structures. Public hearing moved to the first
Town staff described a request from Catawba Associates Centerville LLC to vacate and convey an unimproved portion of Independence Street to the council on Oct. 11, and told the council a public hearing and potential action will be scheduled for the first meeting in November.
"This is a 40 foot wide stretch of right of way ... an unbuilt, unimproved stretch of right of way," a staff member identified in the meeting as Mr. Moore told council. He said the strip sits east of the property at 404 East Federal Street and that the town's comprehensive plan does not identify a future street there. He also said a future street at that location would face topographic and VDOT-approval challenges.
Mr. Moore described prior review: the town's ad hoc property committee recommended vacating the strip about two-and-a-half years ago, subject to an easement for future utilities and a restriction preventing structures in the vacated area except fences. The deed working with Catawba's attorney now reflects those conditions, Mr. Moore said.
Staff reported two appraisal values: a fair-market value of $9,250 and a contributory value of $9,000. "If council does approve the vacation and conveyance, you can set a price up to the higher of those two ... no more than $9,250, could be charged, for the conveyance of the property," Mr. Moore said.
Council members questioned the administrative cost relative to the dollar value. "I imagine $9 is not even gonna cover your time and Martin's time on this," Council Member Chris Bernard said, noting statutory limits that tie price to appraisal values.
Mr. Moore said appraisal and advertising costs would be reimbursed to the town as part of the conveyance and that the public hearing will be scheduled for the council's first November meeting to meet notice requirements.
Ending: The council did not act on the vacation at the Oct. 11 meeting; a public hearing and potential action will be held at the first November meeting after public-notice requirements are met.
