Planning commission approves alley vacation to allow hotel and parking in Amarillo block

The Emerald Planning and Zoning Commission approved a request to vacate a 20-foot public alley in Block 143 of the Plymouth addition in Amarillo so the applicant can consolidate the block for a hotel and parking lot. Emily, a city staff member presenting the item, said the application was distributed to city departments and utilities and that staff considered the request ready for commission consideration.

"The applicant is requesting vacation of the noted alley to develop the block with a parking lot and a hotel," Emily said during the presentation. She told commissioners the applicant owns both sides of the block and intends to replat the property as a single lot. Because the applicant will "dedicat[e] a public utility easement to the city at no cost over the entire area of abandonment," Emily said "fair market value payment to the city is not required." Staff and utility providers raised no objection in the reviews cited in the packet.

Commissioner Josh moved to approve the vacation and a commissioner seconded; the commission then voted in favor. Josh summed up a rationale discussed by commissioners, saying, "With an easement, it's not improved in value per se," meaning that retained utility and franchise-easement rights limit the alley's standalone market value. The motion passed with all present voting aye. The transcript did not specify further procedural steps for this specific vacation beyond the commission approval.