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Belton council rejects request to vacate utility easement for shopping-center sign
Summary
The City of Belton denied a developer’s request to vacate a utility easement at Crest Plaza after staff and utility providers raised concerns that the proposed sign location lies within critical easements and could hinder future development.
The City of Belton council voted against an ordinance to partially vacate a utility easement on Lot 4B, Crest Plaza 4th Plat — a parcel at the northeast corner of the Price Chopper entrance, just south of Valvoline. City staff said utility providers opposed the vacation and recommended denial.
“Staff also recommends denial of this request based on the items outlined in the staff report,” City staff (speaker 4) told the council, citing opposition from Belton Water and Sewer and concerns raised by AT&T, Spire and Evergy. AT&T signaled it could consider an encroachment agreement but would not support a full easement vacation, staff said.
Staff and councilors noted the parcel’s limited plat size and that vacating the easement to accommodate a multi‑tenant monument sign could render the lot difficult to develop. The proposed sign height was described to the council as 24 feet; staff noted the code allows multi‑tenant shopping center signs up to 30 feet.
A council member summarized earlier discussion and concerns from the planning commission and work session; after a brief exchange the motion to approve the vacation failed on voice vote. The council did not adopt the easement vacation, and no alternative location had been identified by the applicant during the meeting.
The denial preserves the utility easement and leaves open the possibility of an encroachment agreement or alternative sign plans that avoid the easement. The council did not indicate any further action on the item at that meeting.
