Council pulls Jackson Street vacation ordinance after resident objections; city to survey and rework process

Council reviewed ordinance 2024-31, which sought to recognize a portion of Jackson Street as an unimproved (paper) street and transfer the easternmost section to adjacent owners Denton Catell and Carolyn Flint. Councilors cited a zoning inspector memo describing the parcel as approximately 60 feet by 40 feet and acknowledged the property had been maintained by a resident for years.

Public commenter Benny Cal (16 Grant St.) urged action and expressed frustration over delays and neighborhood problems near Jackson Street. Council members said they wanted to avoid the appearance of favoritism and to follow proper legal procedure: contacting adjoining property owners, obtaining a plat/survey, and securing written interest before finalizing a transfer. The law director recommended removing the current ordinance and drafting a new one that documents outreach and the interests of all contiguous owners.

A motion to pull the ordinance from the agenda passed (roll call vote recorded as 5-1 in the discussion motions, and later references show the pull passed on council consent). Council discussed how the city will pay for the survey needed to divide the vacated parcel so that transfer costs thereafter would be incumbent on accepting residents; one council member warned the city could absorb litigation or court costs if the process proceeds and is challenged. Council also considered a 30-day timeline for neighbors to confirm interest in receiving a piece of the vacated land.

Council did not vacate the property at the meeting; instead it directed staff to restart the process with certified notices and platting/survey work and to return a revised ordinance that reflects outreach to adjacent landowners.