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Planning board backs streamlined process for vacating easements and similar public interests
Summary
The board recommended a code change to shorten and simplify the city's process for vacating public streets, alleys, canals and easements for limited encroachments, directing those limited cases straight to council and reducing applicant costs and board workload.
The Planning and Advisory Board unanimously recommended that the city council consider an amendment to City Code Division 3 that would streamline the vacation process for certain small, nonmovable encroachments in public ways.
Planner told the board the proposed change narrows the cases that require full board review and directs qualifying applications straight to council with a simpler notice protocol. “What we propose to do is to add section 2 to the code, leaving the existing vacation of easement process in place for larger or different cases,” the planner said. Staff said the revision aims to reduce applicant expense (the packet noted prior cases cost nearly $1,000 in fees and certified-mail notice costs) and to avoid lengthy, repetitive board hearings for routine, limited vacations.
A board member moved that the board recommend the draft ordinance to council; the motion was seconded and members answered in the roll call with “Aye.” The chair announced, “Motion passes.” No public commenters addressed this item during the recorded public-comment period for this agenda item.
The recommended change will go to city council for consideration; staff said legal has reviewed the draft and suggested the change should work as proposed.
