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REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date Requested: January 23, 2023 Requested By: Teresa Evans, Director Department: Planning & Development Report Resolution Ordinance Exhibits: Ordinance 2022-3891; Deed: Area Map; Abandonment Map; Appraisal Summary; Application Appropriation Source of Funds: N/A Account Number: N/A Amount Budgeted: N/A Amount Requested: N/A Budgeted Item: Yes • No SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION The City of La Porte Planning & Development Department received an application from Henry Farhat of Vanezia Properties, LLC, to vacate, abandon and close the eastern thirty (30) feet of the North 18th Street right-of-way situated between the North E Street right- of-way and the southernmost line of the Madison Street right-of-way, located in Blocks 642 and 643, Town of La Porte, and containing 14,399 sq. ft. of total land area. The abandonment process requires that all adjacent property owners either participate in the closure or sign away rights to their portion of the proposed closure. Southern Pacific Railroad Company, the only other adjacent property owner, decided not to participate in the closure request and did not authorize conveyance of their portion of the described North 18th Street right-of-way. Due to Southern Pacific Railroads lack of participation, the applicant Is only requesting the closure of the eastern half (30 feet) of the sixty (60) foot right-of-way. The total area of the requested closure is 14,399 square feet. The area to be closed and abandoned will be incorporated into the existing development to the east. Staff have determined that there are no City or franchised utilities existing within the right- of-way. Comcast, AT&T, and CenterPoint, the three (3) franchise utility companies, have all provided letters of no objection to the proposed right-of-way closure. In accordance with Sections 62-32 of the City's Code of Ordinances, the City obtained an appraisal of the subject right-of-way to establish fair market value. The appraisal report established a value of $2.00 per square foot. The applicant has submitted closing fees in the amount of $28,798 (14,399 sq. ft. x $2.00) to the city. These funds are being held in escrow subject to final consideration and action by City Council. The Planning and Zoning Commission considered this request at their October 13, 2022, regular meeting. At that meeting, the Commission voted 7-0 to recommend