Commissioners table decision on purchase of 16,874 sq ft for Center Street property reconfiguration

The Queenstown Commissioners on July 23 opened a public hearing on Ordinance 25-05, which would authorize the town to buy 16,874 square feet from Kathleen Snyder to reconfigure town-owned property on what the ordinance calls Center Street (staff said the street name will be corrected to Charity Lane).

During public comment, Paul Cain asked whether the town “knows for certain there is an easement that would allow infrastructure to pass through the property between the existing plant and the property considered for purchase.” Town Attorney Lyndsey Ryan responded that the town is relying on an assumed easement because existing utility lines cross the parcel but that staff has not found a recorded easement: “there is an assumed easement due to the presence of existing lines going through the property but there is no documentation of an easement found currently.”

Another commenter, Bill Mills, noted his land lies between the treatment plant and the parcel under consideration and said there is no documented easement on his property. He cautioned the town against pursuing eminent domain; Commissioners stated eminent domain has not been raised or discussed by the town.

Because President Hardee was absent, the Commissioners agreed to defer a final vote and tabled Ordinance 25-05 until a full commission can vote. The purchase agreement was likewise deferred pending the ordinance decision. The town attorney said staff will correct the street name in the ordinance language and continue researching easement documentation before the item returns for action.

Next steps: staff will continue title/easement review and return the ordinance and accompanying purchase agreement for consideration once all commissioners are present.