Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Rights Of Way topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Moscow City Council approves vacation of Sloniker Drive turnaround easement
Summary
Council approved an ordinance vacating a turnaround easement on Sloniker Drive after a staff presentation and no public opposition; title to the vacated area will vest with adjacent property owners, the ordinance was approved under suspension of rules.
The Moscow City Council on March 17 approved an ordinance vacating a turnaround easement along a portion of Lot 9, Block 1 of the Blackwood First edition, after a staff presentation and no public testimony in opposition.
City staff member Bob Bevelle told the council the easement at the northern terminus of Sloniker Drive had originally been required to create a turnaround long enough for fire apparatus. Bevelle said that because Sloniker Drive has since been extended and other turnarounds are available farther north, the originally dedicated turnaround is no longer needed. He reviewed state statute requirements for vacating a public-access easement, including a public hearing and notice to franchise utilities and adjacent property owners prior to the hearing.
The council moved to approve “the vacation ordinance under suspension of the rules requiring three complete separate readings and that it be read by title and published by summary.” Councilmember Julia moved the motion; a second was recorded but not named in the transcript. The council voted aloud: Sandra, Bryce, Drew and Julia recorded “aye.” The ordinance text read on the record states the vacated turnaround easement title will vest with the owners described in the ordinance, and that the ordinance will be effective upon passage and publication.
Bevelle showed a plat excerpt for the Blackwood First edition and pointed to the easement area. He said sidewalks, curb and pavement in the former turnaround had already been removed and topsoil and other site work completed. He also noted that franchise public utility easements run adjacent to the Sloniker right-of-way and that state statute requires reservation of utility easements when rights-of-way are vacated.
No members of the public testified in favor of or opposition to the vacation during the public hearing, and the mayor closed the hearing before council deliberation. A councilmember asked how frequently requests to vacate temporary turnarounds happen; Bevelle said such requests are relatively infrequent, roughly once every one to two years.
The council adopted the ordinance as read. The transcript records the ordinance read on the floor as “ordinance 20 25 2. 2 dash o 2” and describes the subject property and vesting; the formal ordinance language and legal description are in the city’s records.
The council concluded the item and moved on to other routine reports.
