Council approves first reading of easement-vacation ordinance tied to Aventus Investments lot combination

The New Prague City Council on Monday held the first reading of an ordinance to vacate drainage and utility easements in the New Prague Business Park (Eleventh Edition) and set a public hearing to consider final action.

Ken told the council the Economic Development Authority and the council previously approved sale of two remaining industrial-park lots to Aventus Investments. The developer revised plans from two separate buildings into a single 50,000-square-foot building that spans the two lots; to allow construction over the mid‑lot area the city must combine lots and vacate an existing drainage and utility easement.

"With the change in the plans to have this lot combination happen, we do not any longer need that drainage utility easement, and the building can go over the middle of the 2 lots once they're combined," Ken said.

Councilor Rick Seiler introduced Ordinance No. 358 to vacate the specified easements and the council approved the first reading by voice vote, 4-0. The council then passed a resolution setting a public hearing on the easement vacation (resolution CC-26-02-17-02 in the packet); that motion also passed 4-0. Council and staff stressed the vacation and lot combination are contingent on the developer’s sale and closing.

Ken noted the easement contained no active utilities and had been reserved in case the lots were developed independently. Staff recommended publishing the hearing notice under the city charter timetable and bringing final action back to council on the scheduled date if the sale closes.