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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2007-038 Sponsored by: ~ .... CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2007-038 A RESOLUTION OF THE SEWARD CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RECOMMENDING KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH APPROVAL OF THE VACATION OF "B" STREET BETWEEN FIRST AVENUE AND SECOND AVENUE WHEREAS, the State of Alaska Department of Labor Alaska Vocational Technical Center has formally requested the vacation of "B" Street in downtown Seward and conveyance of the right-of-way to the State; and WHEREAS, the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission has reviewed the request and recommends that the City Council proceed with the vacation and transfer of title to the State for the purpose of maintaining educational facilities; and WHEREAS, the Seward Common Council previously approved the "B" Street vacation by Resolution #49 February 15th, 1954 but the vacation was never perfected; and ... WHEREAS, the "B" street right-of-way between First Avenue and Second Avenue serves no public access function for local traffic circulation and the A VTEC First Lake Complex currently occupies much of the right-of-way area. Vacation of the "B" Street right of way serves an essential public purpose and supports the A VTEC program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: Section 1. City Council recommends that the Kenai Peninsula Borough approve the vacation of "B" Street right-of-way between First Avenue and Second Avenue rights-of-way subject to the following provision: The State of Alaska shall provide, or cause to be provided, a field assessment for existing and potentially required drainage features, utilities and other features of the right-of-way, in cooperation with the City of Seward staff, to be preserved by easement or other forms of reservation prior to final platting. Section 2. Further, the City Council authorizes the City Manager to negotiate the transfer of ownership of the city's portion of the vacated "B" Street right of way, subject to the successful negotiation of the transfer of Block 6 OTS to the State. Section 3. This resolution shall take affect immediately after its adoption. ... CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2007-038 PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 23rd day of April, 2007. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA /L /z- >>~ Vanta Shafer, MaYOr' Dunham, Valdatta, Thomas, Bardarson, Amberg, Shafer None Schafer None (City Seal) ""nil'", -."\ OF S "~ +."~--{ lZt" " ~ ........ "~ '.:t ~,.; ", opO" '1.:'\;? ~ v' OP ~:...,:.... ~ ...~O . ~.>5;,. <0 ,:, .. .,;:;.- ,\':'" :: -... 0\ ~ · A: S""'" . '" .. v · C"i~AL: '.0 ~. ""-! . UI ~ \ ~.;, :0: c;!J . -.....- . 4' -- A fl. V .... -:. c' '. U ~ o' .: to; ?;,:..'y~ 1 ,\~~..., '1'" ~ ~.. .?',~:" .....:.... c.:tJ ~ ",.. <' 0,..- A\..N;.!~.'" .', . '0"; "'Ullfi"" I .... J t ... Council Agenda Statement Meeting Date: April 23, 2007 Through: Marvin Yoder, Interim City Manager From: D. Scott Williams, City Planner Agenda Item: Vacation of “B” Street and Conveyance of Land BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: The State of Alaska Department of Labor (State) operating the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) has formally requested that the City of Seward vacate the “B” Street right-of-way from First Avenue to the west, to Second Avenue to the east to consolidate their property holdings for the Seward AVTEC facility. The right-of-way was previously approved for vacation by Resolution No. 49 by the Seward th Common Council February 15, 1954. The vacation was not completed at that time. The subject right-of-way was established during the creation of the Federal Addition to the Original Seward Townsite. The portion of the “B” Street right-of-way between First and Second Avenues is physically occupied with the old high school, now the First Lake Complex used by AVTEC. Although there is a separation between the First Lake Building and the Old Armory Building located on the adjoining parcel to the south, no motorized traffic can physically use the right-of-way; pedestrian traffic can use the passageway but no “traditional” corridor exists for pedestrian traffic between the buildings. The Seward Planning and Zoning Commission approved the vacation of the “B” Street right of way by Resolution 2007-XX. (attached) Zoning: The area adjacent to the “B” Street right-of-way is Institutional (INS) and the proposed vacation will present no current or future change or affect on the principal uses of the adjacent lands. Comprehensive Plan: The Comp Plan makes no specific mention concerning existing rights-of-way. Street creation and development generally are viewed only in the context of future land use including subdivisions. In this case, the zoning and affected land areas are established and the vacation action would have little or no influence on future land uses in the area. Drainage: Other than on-site drainage for Blocks 6 and 15, no drainage structures or features are thought to exist along, or across the subject right-of-way. Prior to final platting, the State will be required to conduct a field assessment in cooperation with city staff to verify what drainage features, if any, that need to be preserved. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2007- PAGE 2 OF 2 Access: No public thoroughfare access exists along or across the “B” Street right-of-way between First and Second Avenue. The area of the right-of-way is used by AVTEC for structures, on-site pedestrian circulation, parking and landscape. Access does exist along the Second Avenue and some degree the First Avenue rights-of-way which will be preserved through the platting action. Traffic: No motorized access exists within the subject right-of-way and therefore discussion of traffic is not applicable. Utilities: According to city staff, several utilities including electrical and underground sewer and water appurtenances may exist within the “B” Street right-of-way and the State will be required to conduct a field assessment in cooperation with the appropriate utility representatives to verify utility features that need to be preserved. If it is necessary to relocate any public utilities as a result of this vacation, the cost of such relocation will be borne by the State. RECOMMENDATION: The administration recommends the approval of the vacation of “B” Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue and authorizes the City Manager to negotiate the transfer of ownership of thecity’s , portion of the vacated “B” Street right of waysubject to the successful negotiation of the transfer of Block 6 OTS to the State of Alaska (AVTEC) subject to the following: 1. The State of Alaska shall provide, or cause to be provided, a field assessment for existing and potentially required drainage features, utilities and other features of the right-of-way to be preserved by easement or other forms of reservation. If it is necessary to relocate any public utilities as a result of this vacation, the cost of such relocation will be borne by the State. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Where applicable, this agenda statement is consistent with the Seward City Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of Procedures. Other: _______________________________________________________________________ FISCAL NOTE: The City is not expected to incur any costs as a result of the conveyance of title, or as a result of the approval of the vacation of “B” Street between First and Second Avenue. Approved by Finance Department: ________________________ RECOMMENDATION: City Council approve Resolution 2007-______.