Live Oak council approves first readings to vacate alley and several platted streets to clear title for new development

The City Council of the City of Live Oak approved first readings of three ordinances that would vacate an unnamed 10-foot alley in the Strathoma subdivision and portions of several unimproved platted streets to clear title issues and facilitate new business development. The meeting transcript does not specify the meeting date.

City staff read each ordinance into the record and councilmembers moved and seconded each item. A councilmember moved to approve ‘‘ordinance number 1558,’’ and the Chair called a voice vote; the Chair declared the first reading approved. The Clerk subsequently read Ordinance 1559, which would vacate a narrow, unimproved alley lying between lots 1, 3, 5 and 2 in Block 19 of the Strathoma subdivision (plat dated September 1935). A councilmember moved and another seconded the first reading; after discussion the council approved it by voice vote.

A staff speaker told the council the unnamed alley is essentially a grassy 10-foot strip adjacent to a recently rezoned gas-station property. Because the same owners control parcels on both sides, staff said vacating the alley would allow them to combine property and make full use of the changed zoning. ‘‘That is actually the alley … right along the gas station,’’ the staff member said, explaining the strip is unimproved and the vacation would help clear title issues.

The Clerk then read Ordinance 1560, which proposes vacating portions of Lincoln Street SW, Taylor Street SW and Jones Street SW — platted but never constructed — in a rail-road subdivision that now sits largely in a commercial and industrial corridor. Staff told the council that when the area was platted, measurements referenced Old Madison Highway; after Highway 90 was built, the district shifted to commercial uses and the platted street alignments were never developed. Staff warned that, in some places, the platted alignments run through existing rooftops, creating obstacles to permitting repairs or rebuilding unless the rights-of-way are clarified.

A councilmember representing District 2 raised concerns that vacating these rights-of-way could reroute heavy equipment and truck traffic onto side streets, worsening road conditions. ‘‘My concern is that once that is done … they can do whatever they want to the property,’’ the District 2 councilmember said, noting enforcement and roadway wear as legitimate concerns. Staff responded that the vacation would not eliminate city processes for new driveway cuts or permit reviews on public Madison Road.

All three ordinances received first-reading approval by voice vote; the transcript does not record roll-call tallies or identify individual yes/no votes. The council adjourned after the items were approved.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 1558 — first reading approved (motion to approve; voice vote; tally not specified). - Ordinance 1559 — first reading approved (vacate unnamed alley in Strathoma subdivision; motion to approve; voice vote; tally not specified). - Ordinance 1560 — first reading approved (vacate portions of Lincoln, Taylor and Jones Streets SW; motion to approve; voice vote; tally not specified).

What it means

The ordinances are procedural steps to remove platted but unimproved rights-of-way from the city’s map so property titles can be consolidated and new development can proceed. Staff said the actions will help resolve title problems that complicate permitting and property repairs; however, at least one councilmember asked the council to note the potential for increased heavy-vehicle use on local side streets and the need to monitor impacts.

Next steps

Each ordinance passed first reading during this meeting; the transcript does not specify dates for required second readings or final adoption. City staff or the city clerk will need to provide the calendar for subsequent readings and any notice of hearings required by city code.