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Planning Commission recommends sale and abandonment of 15‑foot alley at NE 122nd Street
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a resolution to vacate and sell a 15‑foot, ~145‑foot alley segment east of 12255 NE 16th Avenue, subject to appraisal and unification conditions; the applicant offered a private easement proffer to a neighbor and the neighbor reserved the right to object if the easement is not executed.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of PC17‑116, a resolution authorizing the vacation, abandonment and sale of a portion of city‑owned alley located east of 12255 Northeast 16th Avenue and north of Northeast 122nd Street.
Debbie Love, Director of Community Planning and Development, told the commission the area under consideration is a 15‑foot platted alley running roughly 145 linear feet and that staff is cautious about abandoning alleyways because of potential connectivity uses. Love said the mobility master plan does not identify this alley for special protection, and staff therefore is not recommending denial. She also reminded the commission of standard abandonment conditions: the city requires two appraisals (the charter requires the sale price be no less than 90% of appraised value) and the buyer must unify parcels and record title documents within 45 days of adoption of the resolution.
Ethan Wasserman of Greenberg Charag, representing the applicant, said the applicant has maintained and improved the alley — "it's brand new asphalt" — and offered a voluntary, private easement to an immediately adjacent property owner to preserve that neighbor's access. Armando Hassoon, counsel for Biscayne Investment Properties (the neighboring owner), told the commission his client accepts the proffer but reserved the right to object at council if an executed perpetual easement is not in place by the time the item is considered by City Council.
Resident Hernando Barreto spoke during public comment saying he was unaware of the proposal and asked for delay to clarify how the alley had previously been truncated and to assess infrastructure impacts from future development.
Commissioner McDermott moved to recommend approval and Commissioner Seifried seconded. The commission approved the recommendation by unanimous roll call. Staff noted the sale will be negotiated by the city manager and that any final price must meet the charter requirement (no less than 90% of appraised value) and that the buyer must pay and record within the 45‑day unification window.
The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action; the staff report noted council consideration was anticipated at the council's first meeting after the break.
