Title
Resolution of Intent to Vacate 24-Foot Wide Right-of-Way at Washtenaw Commons, 3500 Washtenaw (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
In 1965, the owners of 3500 Washtenaw Avenue executed a "Right of Way Agreement" that granted to the City a 24-foot wide easement for public right-of-way behind the shopping center on the parcel. This right-of-way is used as an alley for solid waste collection and contains a public sanitary sewer line serving the buildings on the 3500 Washtenaw parcel. The shopping center at 3500 Washtenaw was recently redeveloped as "Washtenaw Commons" and while reviewing the site plan amendment, staff determined that the alley was not necessary for public access. Staff therefore proposed that the City vacate the alley and that the owner instead grant the City an easement for the existing sanitary sewer and an easement for solid waste removal. This ensures that the City has access to the alley to provide services to the Washtenaw Commons parcel, but the City will not be responsible for maintenance or repair of the alley going forward. The resolution vacating this alley will also contain a resolution accepting the replacement solid waste and sanitary sewer easements.
Project Management and Systems Planning Unit staff concur that this alley vacation is acceptable because this segment serves only the Washtenaw Commons parcel and does not serve any other parcel or contain any public utilities serving any other parcel.
The same 1965 Right of Way Agreement also granted the City a 22-foot wide public right-of-way adjacent to Washtenaw Avenue (commonly known as the "Washtenaw Service Drive"). Restrictions contained in this easement required that the right-of-way be paved, however the site plan contained landscaping in this area to reduce impervious surface. Staff therefore proposed that the owner grant the City a revised right-of-way eliminating these restrictions and permit the landscaping. The resolution vacating the alley will also contain a resolutio...
Click here for full text