Title
Vacate right-of-way to remove sidewalk area (B)
Petition PB-15-122 SVA. City of Gainesville. Vacation of right-of-way to incorporate the vacated area into the Downtown Plaza. Located on the east side of SE 1st Street and the north side of SE 1st Avenue between University Avenue and SE 1st Avenue. **ESTIMATED STAFF PRESENTATION 5 MINUTES**
Explanation
The request is to vacate the right-of-way area of the adjacent sidewalks along SE 1st Street and SE 1st Avenue and to incorporate this area into the City’s Downtown Plaza. These sidewalks are adjacent to the west and south edges of the 1.65-acre Downtown Plaza that is currently being redeveloped by the Community Redevelopment Agency. East University Avenue is to the north, SE 1st Street is to the west, and SE 1st Avenue is to the south and east.
The right-of-way to be vacated comprises a total area of approximately 8,713 square feet or 0.2 acres. Vacation of this City of Gainesville right-of-way area and incorporating it into the Downtown Plaza will have no impact on pedestrian or bicycle access to or use of these sidewalks, which are to remain in place. Incorporation of this current right-of-way area into the adjacent, 1.65-acre Downtown Plaza will allow the City to subject the sidewalk area to the same City park rules that will apply to the Downtown Plaza, which differ from those that pertain to sidewalks that are in the public right-of-way. This will give the City more control of the use of these sidewalk areas than currently exists.
Public notice was published in the Gainesville Sun on November 12, 2015. The City Plan Board held a public hearing on December 1, 2015 and voted 4 to 2 (Nays: Ackerman and Condon) to approve the petition.
Fiscal Note
None.
Recommendation
City Plan Board to City Commission - Approve Petition PB-15-122 SVA and find: 1) that the vacation of right-of-way for these sidewalks will not foreclose pedestrian or bicycle use of them and will not foreclose non-motori...
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