City Council approves partial abandonment of Spruce and Amarillo Avenues for hotel development

The Clearlake City Council meeting on July 7, 2022, focused on several key issues, including the approval of the consent agenda and the consideration of a partial abandonment of Spruce Avenue and Amarillo Avenue.

The meeting began with a motion by Councilwoman Overton to accept the consent agenda, which was seconded by Vice Mayor Prodock. The council members unanimously voted in favor of the motion.

A significant topic of discussion was the partial abandonment of Spruce Avenue and Amarillo Avenue, located north of Eighteenth Avenue. City Manager Bora explained that this action is part of a development agreement related to the construction of a Fairfield Inn and Suites at the former airport site. The abandonment is necessary to accommodate the hotel’s footprint, as the original parcel sold to the developers did not fully fit their needs.

Bora provided a visual map to illustrate the areas designated for abandonment, noting that no property owners would lose access to their properties as a result. He assured the council that the abandonment had already undergone environmental clearance and planning commission review. The council discussed the presence of utilities in the area, confirming that while some utilities would need to be relocated, there were no utilities in the streets being abandoned.

The council also addressed the potential for future abandonment of additional sections of Spruce Avenue, although the current focus remained on the areas necessary for the hotel development. The meeting concluded with an understanding that public notice would be required to inform residents about the implications of the street abandonment.

Overall, the council's decisions aim to facilitate local development while ensuring that existing property access remains intact.