Plan Board OKs small right-of-way vacation to allow elevator addition at ParLay on the River

The City Plan Board approved a petition June 9 to vacate approximately 1,140 square feet of public right of way at the northwest corner of North Main Street and West Monument Avenue so ParLay on the River (the former Bar Granada) can add an elevator and access rooftop dining. Staff said the parcel is visually separated from the roadway by landscaping and a fence and that the Division of Civil Engineering supports the vacation; the Department of Water noted a catch basin on the parcel will need transfer to private ownership and asked that the pedestrian sidewalk connecting to the Great Miami River Recreational Trail remain public.

Erin Parrott, representing ParLay on the River, said the business had believed the parcel was part of its property when purchased and began the vacation process after discovering it was right-of-way. "When they bought their property, they had been under the impression that the subject parcel was part of that property. When it was discovered that it is actually right-of-way, they began the vacation process," the record states. The board approved the vacation subject to conditions that the sidewalk extension remain public, the public catch basin be transferred to private ownership by the adjacent property owner, the title for the vacation be specified, and the applicant supply a metes-and-bounds description with the petition. The motion to approve was made by Ms. Ann Schenking and seconded by Ms. Leslie Lovelace; all voting members present voted yes and Ms. Geraldine Pegues was excused.

Staff noted a lot consolidation (minor record plan) will be required to combine parcels after the vacation but that the matter could be completed administratively and need not return to the Plan Board unless the applicant requests otherwise.