Council approves multiple right-of-way and sewer-easement closures; Woodland Ave. deferral set for two weeks

The Chattanooga City Council on April 1 approved multiple ordinances to close and abandon rights-of-way and sanitary-sewer easements and moved one item to a future meeting for further work.

At final reading earlier in the meeting the council approved items described as closures and abandonments in the 2200 block of East 20th Street and in sanitary-sewer easements on Mercer Street and Sanford Gap Road. Those items were approved as part of the council's final-reading package (items 7A'C) by voice vote.

During the parks and public works committee segment the council also considered additional right-of-way and easement closings. Councilwoman Donnie announced she had coordinated with the applicant and EPB (Electric Power Board) and planned to remove two utility-easement reservation conditions from one closing; she moved an amendment during the council session to strike two specified easement-reservation conditions on the William Street closing (item 7D). The amendment to strike the two conditions was seconded and adopted, and the ordinance was then approved as amended.

A separate ordinance to close and abandon an unopened right-of-way in the 700 block of Woodland Avenue was moved for a two-week deferral to April 15; the council approved that deferral on a voice vote.

Other closings and abandonments listed in committee and in the council packet (various unopened rights-of-way and sanitary-sewer easements) were taken up in committee and placed on the appropriate agendas; several were included in the final-reading approvals noted above.

Council members noted conservation-easement negotiations and EPB utility reviews as reasons for short deferrals or amendments on some items.