Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Fielding council weighs licensing city land for school parking instead of sale
Summary
The school district wants additional parking; council members discussed using a narrow strip of city land (the borrow pit) for parking and the town attorney recommended licensing the land or a procurement process rather than a direct sale, plus a traffic study and lighting assessment.
Council members discussed a request from the school district to use a strip of city-owned land adjacent to the school (described as a borrow pit) for additional parking related to new temporary classrooms.
Members raised options including selling the property or retaining ownership and granting the district a license or parking-permit arrangement. Town attorney Donaldson (S6) advised the council that it did not need to sell the land — the city could license it for parking, require the district to pay for improvements and charge a monthly fee, or proceed through an open procurement process if a sale were desired. “You don't have to sell it. You can charge them a monthly fee for the license,” S6 said.
Council members also noted the need for a traffic study and lighting assessment, and discussed procurement and public-notice requirements that typically accompany disposal of public land. No formal action was taken; staff were asked to explore licensing, traffic impacts and whether the city should seek compensation for maintenance or improvements.