Council approves vacating Dixon Avenue right-of-way to allow KFC site plan

Mayor Andrea Davis opened the public hearing and staff presented details on a proposed right-of-way vacation for Dixon Avenue as part of a commercial redevelopment. Aaron Lebsack, a Public Works and Mobility staffer, said the parcel at 3306 Brook Street is proposed for a new KFC and the drive-through design would sit in the existing Dixon Avenue right-of-way. Lebsack summarized observed peak-hour traffic patterns and public-benefit conditions that accompany the vacation. "The right of way being petitioned for vacating will fully go to the KFC property," he said, and staff recommended adopting the resolution subject to conditions of approval.

Councilors asked about the planning context and public notice. Ryan Guelph, the city engineer for transportation, said the recommendation was informed by broader corridor planning (the Transform Brooks study) and by access-point consolidation to reduce conflict points, noting that 92% of outbound traffic used Paxton Street in the observed counts and 73% of inbound traffic likewise used Paxton. City Attorney Sudbury clarified that state law and local practice do not require targeted mailed notice for a vacation, only standard meeting notice, though additional outreach is optional. After hearing public comment from nearby residents urging better neighborhood notification and pedestrian crossing improvements, the council moved and voted to adopt the resolution. Claire Trimble recorded a unanimous roll call in favor, and the vacation passed.