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Resident seeks right‑of‑way vacation to expand buildable lot; council outlines petition and easement limits
Summary
A resident asked the council to consider vacating a nearby right‑of‑way to make a small lot buildable; staff advised that petitions must come from adjoining owners, that utility easements should be retained, and that vacating could complicate future annexation or utility extensions.
A resident identified as Scott raised an inquiry during the public forum about a small lot and asked whether an adjacent municipal right‑of‑way could be vacated so the parcel could be used for a larger home.
City staff and council members explained that state and local practice requires a written petition from adjoining property owners to begin a vacation; a majority of abutting owners must sign to start the process. Staff warned that utility easements should be reserved even if a right‑of‑way is vacated to preserve access for water and sewer lines and to avoid undermining future opportunities for annexation or utility extensions.
Planning staff said the parcel currently meets minimum lot‑size requirements for a residential building but that setbacks, soils and utility locations could affect actual buildability. Staff offered a sample petition form and asked Scott to follow the formal process rather than assume an automatic transfer of the entire right‑of‑way.
Council directed staff to provide a petition template, to obtain additional GIS and township boundary clarification regarding the road and adjacent parcels, and to consult the city attorney before any final action. Staff emphasized that vacation does not automatically grant full right‑of‑way ownership to a single requester and that the council must weigh public benefit and utility needs when making a decision.
