Council OKs vacation of small Hudson Road right-of-way for Creekside Business Park

On Dec. 1 the Cedar Falls City Council held a public hearing and voted to pass an ordinance on first consideration vacating a 0.69‑acre portion of Hudson Road located just south of West Ridgeway Avenue and adding that parcel to Lot 1 and Outlot A of the Creekside Business Park.

Michelle Pizzly, city staff, explained that the city recently received the right‑of‑way from the Iowa Department of Transportation and that staff determined the blue‑shaded portion shown in the council materials was not needed as right‑of‑way. “If the vacation is approved, this 0.69 acres will be added to lot 1 and out lot a of Creekside Business Park,” she said. Pizzly also noted the planning commission recommended approval on a 6–0 vote.

During council discussion members asked whether maintenance or jurisdiction would remain with DOT; staff explained the DOT had previously held jurisdiction, transferred the parcel to the city earlier this year, and the city is reclassifying it as city property rather than right‑of‑way. The mayor and staff clarified the parcel will be part of the development lot and subject to future design decisions by engineers and developers.

The council moved, seconded and the clerk recorded “All members voting aye, mister mayor,” advancing the ordinance on its first consideration.

Why it matters: Vacating the small strip of right‑of‑way streamlines property boundaries in the Creekside Business Park and puts the land under city control for inclusion in a development lot; staff said the action is cleanup of older DOT jurisdiction that had been transferred to the city.

Next steps: The ordinance passed first consideration. Further readings or final consideration will follow per the council’s ordinance adoption process.