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Planning board backs streamlined process for vacating small public easements
Summary
The Planning & Advisory Board recommended a proposed code amendment that would let applicants seek council action directly to vacate small, non-movable encroachments in easements, reducing time and mailing costs for applicants.
The Planning & Advisory Board recommended a revision to the city code to simplify and shorten the process for vacating small public easements and non-movable encroachments. Staff said the change would remove the Planning & Advisory Board step for limited cases and allow applicants to go directly to city council, reducing application time and costs (the existing process required certified mail notifications and other steps that can cost about $1,000).
City planner Carl told the board the amendment targets limited situations — essentially non-movable structures encroaching on an easement — and preserves checks such as utility and city review; it also adds a service date limiting future vacating under the simplified process. "We don't have to have a planning advisory board [hearing] anymore; we go straight to council," Carl said, describing the efficiency gain.
Board members asked for clarity on whether utilities and other required notifications remain part of the process; staff confirmed those steps are still required, and the code change merely shortens the public-review route for narrowly defined cases. No members of the public offered comment on this item.
A board member moved to recommend the amendment as written; the motion was seconded and the chair announced the motion passed. The board will forward the recommended ordinance language to council for final action.
