Title
Release of Electric Easement at 2708 SW Archer Road (B)
Executive Summary: Staff is requesting that an easement granted to Florida Power Corporation in 1959, subsequently transferred to the City in 1974, be released to facilitate new development.
Explanation
Pursuant to an antitrust litigation settlement in 1974, Florida Power Corporation's electric distribution facilities in various areas of town were sold to the City of Gainesville and numerous electric easements covering the facilities were assigned to the City. One of the easements assigned to the City was an easement granted to Florida Power Corporation in 1959 over Tax Parcel Number 06757-003-000, located at 2708 SW Archer Road. This easement was acquired for the installation, operation and maintenance of electric utilities to serve a trailer park at the site. Since that time the trailer park has been removed as well as the Florida Power facilities installed to serve the site.
Recently, plans for the development of a small hospital on the site, currently referred to as "Select Medical", were submitted to the City of Gainesville. To make way for the new development and in an effort to clear up any clouds on the title to the site, the owner has requested that the 1959 Florida Power Corporation easement be released.
Staff has reviewed this request and has confirmed that there are no electric facilities on the site except an underground electric line serving a communications tower, which is covered by a separate easement granted to the City in 2004. Therefore staff has no objection to the City releasing its interest in the 1959 Florida Power Corporation easement.
Recommendations
The City Commission: 1) approve the release of a Florida Power Corporation easement assigned to the City of Gainesville over Tax Parcel Number 06757-003-000, located at 2708 SW Archer Road; and 2) authorize the Mayor to execute the Release of Easement document subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.
Drafter
Prepared by: Ruth H. Davis, Utilities Administrative Services Director
Submitted by: Michael L. Kurtz, General Manager