O-2003-2637 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Appropriation Agenda Date Reqnested: Jone ., 2J3 Requested By: DOU2 Kneupper~t{ Department: Plannin2 Source of Funds: N/A Account Number: N/A Amount Budgeted: N/A Report: _Resolution: _Ordinance: l Amount Requested: Exhibits: 1. Ordinance 2. Area Map Budgeted Item: _YES -X-NO SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION The City has received an application from Puffer-Sweiven & Process Products, owners of Lots 1-4 and 9-32, Block 69, Town of La Porte, to vacate, abandon, and close the alley in Block 69. The applicants have plans to expand their current operations by constructing a new facility within their existing property. In order to comply with maximum lot coverage requirements, the applicants seek to gain additional property by closing of the alley. In doing so, existing and proposed site improvements will be within the 40% lot coverage requirement of General Commercial (GC) zoning as defined in the Zoning Ordinance. In reviewing the application, the City's Public Works Department has determined that City water and sanitary sewer mains are located within the subject alley. Therefore, any consideration for closing of the alley should be subject to retaining of an easement for City access to these facilities. Each of the City's franchised utility companies has received notification of the closing application and has provided their response. Centerpoint Energy, Southwestern Bell Corporation and Time Warner Communications each have stated their consent to the closing subject to dedication of a utility easement for their facilities within the alley. A limited/restricted appraisal has been conducted to determine the fair market value of the subject property. As a result, a value of $3.00 per square foot has been assessed. Per Sec. 62-35, Paragraph (b), Item 1, the applicant will be required to compensate the City at 75% of the assessed value. Although, it is not the City's usual practice to submit a closing application without consent of all adjacent property owners, It is Staff's position that this application has sufficient merit to be presented to Council for consideration. Ms. Maxine Jones of 220 North 9th Street is an adjacent owner to the alley in question. City Staff has corresponded and met personally with Ms. Jones to inform her of the applicant's request and to determine her willingness to provide consent to the closing. Ms. Jones has expressed her objection and does not wish to provide consent. If this request is approved, the applicants have agreed to compensate the City for the entire alley (6,400 sq. ft.) thus allowing Ms. Jones to procure an 8' x 100' (800 sq. ft.) portion of the alley located adjacent to her rear property line (subject to the utility easement restrictions). Payment from the applicants in the amount of $14,400 has subsequently been received and placed in the