Avondale Estates clears title to 2820 Franklin Street and abandons small downtown right-of-way

Avondale Estates' Board of Mayor and Commissioners voted unanimously April 15 to approve a quitclaim deed clearing title to property known as 2820 Franklin Street and to abandon a short, substandard section of public right-of-way (Franklin/Potter/Elm) while establishing a general utility easement.

The council moved first on a staff resolution to execute a quitclaim deed to Maple 278 Ventures LLC to clear what staff described as a 183-square-foot triangular interest at the north end of a parcel owned by Dave Leay. Commissioner Graham moved to approve the resolution; Laida seconded and the motion passed on a 5–0 voice vote.

Later in the meeting staff described a separate but related proposal to abandon the portion of Franklin Street that sits on private property and to follow statutory disposition procedures if the board proceeds with sale or transfer. Staff said neighboring owners with abutting interests would be offered the strip that directly abuts their parcels under state law and that utilities (Atlanta Gas Light and DeKalb County Water, as named by staff) would receive easements so there would be no interruption of service. The board approved the abandonment resolution after a motion by Commissioner Lou and a second by Graham; the vote was recorded as unanimous.

During discussion commissioners asked whether the Means family parcel to the west would be offered frontage or an opportunity to purchase; staff explained state law for abandoned east–west right-of-way offers adjacent parcels between the center line and abutters, and therefore that west parcel would not be in the first-offer group. Staff also said the abandoned strip would remain drivable until the Washington Street extension was constructed and that proposed disposition would be part of a future package of property exchanges with the developer.

The staff presentation noted the public benefit of replacing the substandard segment with a new Washington Street built to code and improving downtown connectivity. The resolution creating the general utility easement was presented as protective of ongoing utility service: "The utilities themselves will not ever be disturbed as a part of any of the action you were to take," staff said.

What happens next: staff said any future disposition will follow state statutory procedures and come back to the board; the city will also track and report utility easement documentation and remain involved in design review and permitting for the Washington Street extension before accepting any dedicated infrastructure.

Votes at a glance: quitclaim deed for 2820 Franklin Street — mover: Graham; second: Laida; outcome: approved, 5–0. Abandon right-of-way (Franklin/Potter/Elm) and create general utility easement — mover: Lou; second: Graham; outcome: approved, 5–0.