Hillcrest Avenue petition discussed; planning staff and assessor seek clearer development plan

The committee heard a petition to abandon Hillcrest Avenue for the development of two duplex homes. Robert Azar of the Department of Planning and Development said Hillcrest "services his property" and provides access to other developed and undeveloped parcels, and staff has discussed with the petitioner whether it would be possible to develop the road and turn it back to the city or to proceed with abandonment and sale. Because those discussions remain ongoing, Azar said the city plan commission has not issued a recommendation.

A tax assessor's office representative repeated concerns about valuation and possible landlocking for surrounding lots if ownership boundaries are not clearly defined; the office has not provided values for the parcels pending clearer surveys. The petitioner (identified in the hearing as Mark Amori) said adjacent homes have their own driveways but use the abandoned street for auxiliary parking, and that he is awaiting survey documents and coordinating with Planning and Public Works to determine the most appropriate approach.

No formal action or vote was recorded during the Dec. 1 hearing. Staff told the committee they will continue discussions with the petitioner and return information to the city plan commission when a clear plan and survey documents are available.