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Commission approves alley abandonment in Nora District with perpetual public-access easement
Summary
The West Palm Beach City Commission unanimously approved Resolution 98-26 to abandon a 13,645-square-foot T-shaped alley in the Nora District; the applicant will pay the $680,000 appraisal, construct and maintain a mid-block street and grant a public-access easement in perpetuity.
The West Palm Beach City Commission unanimously approved Resolution 98-26 on a motion that included an explicit public-access easement in perpetuity, allowing a developer to abandon a 13,645-square-foot T-shaped alley in the Nora District.
The applicant, represented by attorney Tyler N. Wooldridge of Shutts & Bowen LLP, told the commission the developer controls the adjacent parcels and plans to buy the alley for the revised appraised value of $680,000. Wooldridge said the project will replace the alley with a mid-block extension of Madera Court, construct and maintain the new street privately, and provide a one-for-one public open-space giveback equal to the alley's area.
"The applicant is constructing and will be maintaining that private street through the center of the block," Wooldridge said during his presentation and asked for the commission's support for the abandonment.
Chris Kimberly, principal planner, said the appraisal was prepared by Anderson & Carr and that staff's professional opinion is the alley is no longer needed for public purposes if conditions are met. Kimberly also noted the Downtown Action Committee had unanimously recommended approval.
Commissioners questioned maintenance and access. Commissioner Ward asked whether the new roadway could be closed for private use in the future; staff and the applicant confirmed the commission would require a public-access easement that preserves vehicular and pedestrian access in perpetuity.
Commissioner Fox asked which fund would receive the proceeds from the sale; staff said the $680,000 will go into the city's general fund real-estate account.
The motion to approve the abandonment was amended on the floor to include the public-access easement, seconded and carried by unanimous voice vote. No public comment cards were filed on the item.
Next steps include finalizing the legal instruments for the easement and closing paperwork between the city and the applicant.
