95-01 VACATING EASEMENT AND PORTION OF A STREET

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MEMORANDUM No. 95-06 January 10, 1995 TO: Honorable Mayor Erik C. Brechnitz and City Council Members FROM: James C. Bacon, Jr. , City Manager George C. Weaver, Community Development Directo Robert A. McQueen, Planner SUBJECT: Vacation of roadway easement and portion of street for Knollwood Court An ordinance vacating a roadway easement and public right-of-way for Knollwood Court is scheduled for review and action by the City Council on Tuesday, January 17, 1995. Located immediately east of the intersection of Knollwood , Drive and Hilltop Drive, the area in question is actually a ' one lane driveway which serves two adjoining property owners; these owners have both signed the petition requesting the proposed vacation. The subject ordinance was tabled by the City Council on Monday, January 3 , 1995, for further review regarding future use of this street and easement as access to public areas (walkways/bikeways) along the lake. The Lake Decatur Area Development Study prepared by Lohan Associates in 1993 identified adjoining property east of Knollwood Court as being an attractive park/wooded area. However, since the general topography of this area is quite steep, and it is presently under private ownership (a portion of said area is owned by one of the petitioners) , staff is of the opinion that it is not a likely candidate for public greenway development. In the event that privately owned land in this general area should be purchased for public use, staff is of the opinion that pedestrian access thereto would be more appropriately placed from Lost Bridge Road or Scovill Gardens. However, if the City Council should desire to retain Knollwood Court as a possible access, staff would recommend that such walkway easement be retained over the existing right-of-way with the stipulation that it would be used only if the area to the immediate east of Knollwood Court becomes public property and developed as public greenway or park space.