Committee approves vacation of 30-foot pedestrian access easement at Abrams Crossing property

The Planning and Economic Development Committee on March 27 voted to recommend approval of an ordinance to vacate a 30-foot pedestrian access easement across property owned by Abrams Crossing LLC at 601 West Jubal Early Drive.

Kelly Hetchel, a city staff member presenting the item, said the owner has requested that the existing 30-foot easement be vacated and that the owner will dedicate a new easement located one foot off the edge of the trail; the Green Circle trail alignment itself will not change. Hetchel said the city does not need the extra 30-foot width for operations and that the proposed swap will keep the trail in its current alignment while reducing the encroachment onto private property.

Committee members asked how the easement swap ties to the adjacent development. Hetchel said the developer will convey property to the city as part of the Lot 5 townhouse construction; that conveyance is intended to relocate the Green Circle trail away from Jubal Early Drive and includes preservation of existing trees and some wetland area.

The committee approved a motion to recommend approval of the ordinance; members voted in favor and the motion carried. Staff will complete the easement vacation and dedication steps as the development proceeds.

Details clarified: the existing easement width is 30 feet; the replacement dedication will be located one foot off the trail edge. The property address is 601 West Jubal Early Drive; owner is Abrams Crossing LLC. The city said trail alignment will remain unchanged and additional preservation and future conveyances are part of the related development approvals.