Planning board backs streamlined process to vacate public ways in draft code amendment

City planning staff told the Planning and Advisory Board the proposed amendment would simplify the process for limited vacations of public ways and reduce applicant expense by sending straightforward cases directly to City Council and removing duplicate local review steps.

"What we propose to do is to add section 2 to the code, leaving the existing vacation of easement ... we don't even have to come to the planning advisory board anymore. We go straight to council," the planner said in the meeting packet summary. Staff described the change as intended to apply to small, non‑movable encroachments and to shorten notification and review steps while preserving checks and balances for larger or more complex vacations.

No public commenters spoke on the item. A motion to recommend the amendment was made, seconded and carried; the chair announced, "Motion passes." The board recorded members answering 'Aye' during roll call on the motion as presented.

The change is still a draft ordinance; it will be forwarded to City Council for formal adoption following the city's legislative process.