Hillcrest Avenue abandonment under review as petitioner and city staff discuss options

The Committee of Public Works heard a petition Dec. 1 from MP General Contractors, represented by Mark Amori, to abandon Hillcrest Avenue from Woodside Road to Plat 95, Lot 215 for development of two duplex homes. Planning staff said the matter remains under active discussion with the petitioner and Public Works; because these discussions are ongoing the City Plan Commission had not yet issued a recommendation.

Robert Azar said staff had concerns about how abandonment might affect other properties that currently use the street, and whether the petitioner could develop the road and then turn it back to the city or whether an outright sale and abandonment would be appropriate. The tax assessor said it had not valued the property and noted two houses at the front corner already use the strip; the assessor flagged uncertainty about whether abandonment would landlock properties beyond the immediate lots.

Petitioner Mark Amori said neighbors on either side have their own driveways and use the street mostly for auxiliary parking; he described ongoing coordination with the city’s planning and public works departments, said he is awaiting survey paperwork and plans a meeting with staff to determine the most effective development approach. No vote or final decision was made; staff and the petitioner will continue to coordinate and provide documentation and surveys to planning and public works for further consideration.