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Commissioners debate fees and ownership as High Ridge Country Club seeks abandonment and rezone
Summary
Planning staff presented a request to abandon Southwest 7th and to rezone about 64 acres to recreation to allow golf-course expansion at High Ridge Country Club; commissioners discussed whether the city should charge an abandonment fee and raised homeowner-maintenance and tax-roll considerations.
Planning staff described a suite of first-reading items tied to High Ridge Country Club: a roadway abandonment (Southwest 7th), a map amendment, and a rezoning of roughly 64 acres from residential to recreation to permit future golf-course expansion. The commission discussed administrative costs, title work, and whether the city should charge a fee when vacating public land.
What was proposed: Staff said the abandonment would transfer full width to the adjacent country-club property if approved and that development staff typically collects administrative fees for development applications. Staff asked whether the commission wanted a discussion item or preferred to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance establishing an abandonment fee.
Points of contention: Commissioner Kelly (Speaker 4) and other commissioners worried about imposing new fees on property owners who have maintained small parcels abutting their homes; they signaled a willingness to discuss graduated approaches (e.g., waiving fees for small parcels that provide no city benefit) but noted that this particular abandonment involves over four acres that would go on the tax rolls.
Public-accountability note: A staff member observed that some members of the public question whether the city is “just giving land back,” a concern staff said could justify an ordinance or discussion item on abandonment fees.
What happens next: Staff requested direction to prepare either a discussion item or a draft ordinance; commissioners indicated they want a formal discussion at a future meeting before changing policy.
