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Board endorses code change to streamline small easement and street vacations
Summary
The Planning and Advisory Board recommended a city‑code amendment to simplify vacation of minor public easements and non‑movable encroachments, aiming to reduce applicant costs and avoid lengthy board review for small, limited vacations.
City staff presented a draft amendment to Division 3 of the City Code to streamline vacations of public streets, alleys and easements for limited, non‑movable encroachments. Staff said the change would shorten the administrative process, reduce mailing and application costs for applicants and send minor vacation matters directly to council rather than to the Planning and Advisory Board for advisory review.
Carl explained the proposed procedure would retain checks with utilities and other agencies but eliminate an additional advisory step for narrowly defined vacations; the draft includes a service date limiting eligibility for the streamlined process. No members of the public spoke on the item during the board’s public‑comment period.
A motion to recommend the amendment to city council was made, seconded and approved by recorded voice votes. The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to council with staff’s draft ordinance and a record of the board’s discussion.
Next steps: the recommendation and draft ordinance will go to the city council for consideration; staff indicated the change aims to reduce applicant cost and administrative burden for limited vacations.
