Planning Commission approves several alley and right-of-way vacations

The St. Joseph Planning Commission approved a set of right-of-way and alley vacation requests aimed at consolidating property lines and enabling private access for redevelopment.

Staff presented three separate vacation requests: (1) a request by Jeff Pickrell to vacate roughly 265 feet of alley in Block 55 of Patey's Addition at 1617 Poplar Street (one notification returned in favor; staff recommended approval with no conditions); (2) a request by Tracy Wright on behalf of Central Commodities LLC to vacate portions of alley and Seventh Street right-of-way near 36 Highway to consolidate lots (staff recommended approval with the condition that sanitary sewer easements be provided); and (3) a request by Benjamin Hubbard on behalf of Innovative Ventures to vacate an approximately 90-foot portion of east–west alley in Block 38 of Patey's Fifth Edition to allow consolidation and private driveway access (staff recommended approval with no conditions and reported no utility conflicts).

For each item the commission opened public comment. There was minimal public opposition for the first and third items and no utilities conflicts noted for the third; the Central Commodities item included the condition to protect existing sanitary sewer lines via easements. Each vacation motion was seconded and carried on roll call.

Next steps: the approved vacations will be forwarded to city council for final action except for the subdivision improvement agreement item (covered separately), and applicants must provide any required easements per staff recommendations.