HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated September 12, 1989 1
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COUNCIL ACTION FORM , .
Item # _
Date: September 12 1989
SUBJECT: Request for vacation of the alley in Block 9, Original Town of
Ames.
BACKGROUND:
A request has been received from the Daily Tribune to vacate and pur-
chase the 16' wide alley between Burnett and Kellogg Avenue from 5th
Street to 132' north. The remainder of the alley from 132' north of 5th
Street to 6th Street was vacated partially in 1960 and finally in 1977. The
part vacated in 1977 immediately north of this proposed vacation is 161x48'
and was leased to the Tribune for 10 years which expired on August 2,
1987. This lease has not been renewed.
The utility companies were contacted for their comments and concerns
regarding the proposed vacation. Existing utilities in the alley include:
a. Underground primary electric line (City)
b. Telephone line of unknown size (Northwestern Bell)
c. 12" storm drainage line and intake (City) .
If the alley is vacated and an easement is not retained, the utility compa-
nies recommend that their systems be relocated for future maintenance or
replacement. However, if a utility easement is retained, all utilities will
remain in place. Adjacent property owners were also contacted and
expressed no opposition to the proposed vacation.
As you may recall, the old McFarland Clinic Building east of the alley was
sold to the Tribune in the spring of 1988. The request for alley vacation
is based on the desire of the Tribune to maintain control of the alley
which separates the two buildings in terms of vehicle access. Retention of
a utility easement in the alley will preclude any structure from being built
over the alley.
According to the City's new policy for establishing value for selling streets
and alleys, the current value of this alley is $5.00 per square foot for an
area of 2,112 sq. ft. The $5.00 figure is reduced by 10% for the value of
the quit claim deed and by 15 o for retention of utility easements. This
brings the value to $3.75 per sq. ft. for a total value of $7,920. The
previously vacated portion of the alley on which the lease has expired has
an area of 768 square feet and is valued at $2,880. Thus, the total value
of the alley proposed for vacation is $10,800.
CAF - Alley Vacate
Sept. 12, 1989
Page 2
The vacation and sale of the alley, if approved, does not indicate approval
of a building plan for the property. Any building program must meet the
requirements of the various codes in effect at the time that the building
plan is proposed.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the request for alley vacation with the retention of ease-
ments over the portion where public facilities exist. The easement
would prevent the construction of permanent structures in the
easement area unless arrangements are made to relocate the facilities
present. The alley can be sold at a cost of $10,800. The sale of
the property does not constitute authorization to build a structure
on the alley.
2. Approve the request for alley vacation without retention of a utility
easement and require the Tribune to relocate all existing utilities at
an estimated cost of $250,000.
3. Deny the request for alley vacation and retain full use of the alley
by utility companies, adjacent property owners and other vehicle
traffic.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended by the City Manager that the City Council approve
alternative number one, proposing a Quit Claim Deed of the Tribune alley
at a cost of $10,800 with retention of a utility easement. Also, establish a
date for the public hearing on the ordinance to vacate the alley for
September 26, 1989.
COUNCIL ACTION