Council approves vacating two small right-of-way strips to clear path for redevelopment

The New Prague City Council on a 4-0 vote approved the second reading of Ordinance 363 to vacate two small right-of-way/alley areas near 1st Avenue, a move staff said will allow the property owner to redevelop and build additional industrial space.

Ken (Planner/staff) told the council the rights-of-way date to New Prague outlots from the late 1800s and that staff had contacted utilities (including Bevcom and Comcast) which reported no utilities in the affected strips. He said the city would retain easements over both areas "just in case we do need to have some underground utility put through there." The areas are between properties purchased by the applicant and at the north end contain an easement the owner asked to remove.

Pat Sullivan, the lone person listed for public comment, indicated he had nothing further to add and said he would be available to answer questions. A council member asked for clarification about county recording; staff confirmed the property is in Scott County and said recording will be handled accordingly.

After the public hearing was opened and closed, the council considered the second reading and voted to adopt Ordinance 363. Chair (S1) moved for approval and Sean Ryan seconded; the ordinance passed unanimously.

The ordinance moves the property toward redevelopment subject to the retained easement and any required utility coordination. The council did not discuss amendments to the vacating language at length and recorded the vote as 4-0.

The next procedural step is for the city to record the ordinance with the county as appropriate and to retain the easement language for potential future utility needs.