Committee approves reduction of right-of-way with conditions; staff to seek appraisal and finalize documents

The Real Estate Committee found that a proposed reduction of a 90-foot right-of-way was acceptable with appropriate conditions and voted to proceed, subject to further documentation and conditions.

City staff and committee members discussed technical requirements before conveyance: preparing meets-and-bounds by surveyor Bill Thompson; reserving easements for utilities, including a storm line; and marking or relocating dry utilities such as gas and electric if necessary. City staff noted a signed wetland delineation on file and that previous mitigation plans had been renewed, so the parcel under discussion was not expected to contain conveyance-limiting regulated wetlands.

Committee members discussed how to determine fair consideration for any conveyance. Options discussed included hiring a certified appraiser to use standard valuation methods, obtaining an assessor's valuation, and comparing per-square-foot assessed values for adjacent parcels. Staff suggested blending a private appraisal and a public-sector estimate to reach a fair number. Bill Thompson was assigned to prepare the meets-and-bounds and acreage information to support appraisal work.

A committee member moved that the reduction of the right-of-way as indicated, with appropriate conditions, was acceptable; members responded in the affirmative and the motion passed by voice vote in the recorded excerpt.

Next steps recorded in the discussion include: staff will prepare meets-and-bounds and conveyance documents; commission and staff will determine appraisal methodology (private appraiser, assessor data, or blended approach); and staff will return draft documents and valuation for committee review.