Kingman planning commission approves alley vacation, requires easement and appraisal

The Kingman Planning & Zoning Commission voted to approve a request to vacate a public alley right-of-way that bisects a proposed project site, with conditions to protect utilities and preserve public access.

Jason, a development-services staff member, told the commission the alley was dedicated to Mohave County and became city property after annexation in 1991. He said the alley contains several utilities and cited Section 5-1 (and related provisions) of the city streets and sidewalks development rules and regulations (SSDRR), which requires that rights-of-way containing utilities either relocate those utilities or retain legal access before a vacation may be approved.

Staff recommended approval on the condition that the property to be vacated be appraised by a state-licensed appraiser, that the property owner pay appraisal expenses, and that the city and owner enter a purchase-and-sale agreement providing the city compensation equal to the highest market value determined in the appraisal. Upon execution, staff said the city would record a resolution vacating the property and reserving an easement for public utilities and access.

Jason told the commission he had received no objections from city departments or utilities ‘‘so long as an easement is retained in the same place.’’ Frontier Communications and Unisource Energy both raised no objections provided an easement remains in place, and Mohave County Public Works asked the city to ensure preservation of an existing $30,000 Northern Avenue access ramp at the North/Northern and Sierra intersection.

Rob Sampson of Selberg Associates, representing the property owner, addressed the commission in support of the vacation, called the proposal ‘‘straightforward’’ and offered to answer technical questions.

After a brief question-and-answer period — including confirmation from staff that reserving an easement would satisfy county concerns and clarification that a small palapa shown on the aerial image would be removed if located in the right-of-way — a commissioner moved to approve the vacation as recommended. A roll-call vote recorded approval by Chair Goss, Vice Chair Swapp, and Commissioners McCoy, Sicksta, Sprinkle and Waters.

The approval at the commission level triggers the next administrative steps (appraisal, purchase-and-sale agreement and recording) described by staff; the action also preserves an easement for utilities and access. Staff noted public notice was posted and mailed on Oct. 22, 2025, and a notice published in the Kingman Veil Miner on the same date.