Council introduces ordinance to vacate easement so two industrial lots can combine for new building

The New Prague City Council introduced an ordinance Feb. 16 to vacate a drainage utility easement in the New Prague Business Park, 11th edition, clearing the way to combine two industrial lots so a building may be constructed across the former lot line.

Ken (staff) told the council the move is tied to a revised sale and development agreement the Economic Development Authority approved in February. "We're just looking to do two things tonight: pass a resolution to set the hearing and introduce the ordinance to vacate those items so we can take final action on March 16," Ken said.

Council members discussed contingency language. Staff confirmed there are currently no utilities under the easement and that vacating it is contingent on the lot sale closing. The council introduced Ordinance No. 358 and passed the first reading 4-0. The council also passed resolution CC-26-02-17-02 to set the public hearing date required by the city charter and statute.

The council subsequently approved a separate resolution to ratify actions taken by the New Prague Economic Development Authority to combine the two lot sales into a single development agreement with Adventus Investments; the businesses named in the development agreement remain Steelhead Outdoors and Guns R Us and all other terms are unchanged. The council vote approving the EDA actions and the revised development agreement passed 4-0. Staff emphasized the lot combination and easement vacation are contingent on the sale closing.

What happens next: the council will hold the public hearing on the easement vacation on March 16; if the sale closes and the council takes final action after the hearing, the easement will be vacated and the lots combined for the planned building.