Council weighs simplifying quit‑claim process for paper alleys; staff proposes notification and city‑recorded deeds

Jim Bender introduced proposed revisions to the city’s quit‑claim (referred to in the meeting as "quick claim") policy for abandoned or paper alleys and unaccepted rights‑of‑way. Bender said the current policy’s requirement that requestors obtain signatures from every adjoining property owner is often impractical and can block otherwise reasonable conveyances. He outlined staff recommendations: require notification to adjoining owners rather than mandatory signatures; define a documented period (for example, 60–120 days) and specified contact attempts for absentee owners; allow staff, the planning commission or council to adjudicate objections; charge an application fee to cover attorney costs; and have the city record deeds when a conveyance is approved to avoid 'limbo' properties in land records.

Council members discussed common approaches: splitting the alley in half between abutting sides, retaining utility easements even if land rights are conveyed, and using city surveyors to produce a neutral delineation rather than relying on applicant‑provided surveys. One council member recommended public posting similar to a Board of Appeals notice and a fixed waiting period. Staff said the proposed revisions will be refined with the city attorney and returned to the council in a draft policy.

Why it matters: the policy change would streamline how long‑standing, undeveloped paper alleys are resolved, reduce legal ambiguity in land records and set city expectations for surveys, notifications and cost recovery.