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Newton Council closes unopened streets for Rowe Crossing, retains 25-foot utility easement
Summary
After a public hearing with no speakers, Newton City Council unanimously approved closing unopened portions of Thomas Avenue, Rowe Avenue and East 16th Street to allow the Rowe Crossing planned development and adopted a resolution establishing a 25-foot utility easement to protect an existing sewer line.
Newton City Council on May 6 unanimously approved closing sections of Thomas Avenue, Rowe Avenue and East 16th Street so the Rowe Crossing planned development may proceed, and adopted a companion resolution to retain a 25-foot utility easement protecting an existing sewer line.
Mayor Jerry Hodge opened the public hearing on the closures after Planning staff explained that the Rowe Crossing street design does not use the existing unopened rights-of-way platted on the property. Planning Director Randy Williams told the council the City’s standard process—petition, survey and resolutions—had been completed and the Planning Department recommended approval of the closures for property PINs 374006396810 and 374006397483.
Williams said that by closing the East 16th Street right-of-way the city must retain a 25-foot utility easement to provide access and protection for the existing sewer line. The resolution the council adopted creates the required easement and does not require relocating infrastructure, Williams said.
With no members of the public appearing to speak at the hearing, Council Member Jody Dixon moved to close the hearing and Roy Johnson moved the motion to approve the closure of East 16th Street; subsequent motions for Rowe Avenue and Thomas Avenue passed unanimously. The council then adopted the resolution authorizing exchange of real property to retain the 25-foot utility easement.
The Rowe Crossing proposal was previously approved by the council as a planned development in 2023. Planning staff noted the relevant 1957 subdivision plat (C. M. Rowe Estate) depicted platted streets and lots that were never built, and that the current development’s engineering and construction documents are complete and construction underway.
Next steps recorded in the meeting packet indicate the ordinances and resolutions are on file in the City Clerk’s office. The council did not schedule additional public hearings on these specific closures during the May 6 meeting.
