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Information |
TITLE: |
Consideration and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-17: An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, abandoning approximately 5,140 square feet of public right-of-way connecting to the north side of West Route 66, providing for sale of such property, delegation of authority, recording, repeal of conflicting ordinances, severability, authority for clerical corrections, and establishing an effective date |
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: |
At the June 20th, 2023 Council Meeting:
1) Read Ordinance No. 2023-17 by title only for the first time
2) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2023-17 by title only (if approved above)
At the July 3rd, 2023 Council Meeting:
3) Read Ordinance No. 2023-17 by title only for the final time
2) City Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2023-17 by title only (if approved above)
5) Adopt Ordinance No. 2023-17
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Executive Summary: |
Flagstaff Hotels, LLC owns three parcels, two of which (County Assessor parcel numbers: 112-04-009E and 112-04-002P) are bisected by a 20-foot Right-of-Way (ROW) dedicated to the public in the Amended Plat of Coconino West as recorded at case 2 map 68 of the records of the Coconino County Recorder, generally located at 1400 W. Route 66. The ROW is unimproved except for the placement of public utilities within the corridor. The property owner has submitted a Site Plan application to develop a hotel utilizing the parcels. As a condition of approval, the property owner is requesting the City of Flagstaff abandon the unimproved ROW insofar as it bisects the two parcels, approximately 5,140 square feet. If abandoned, per statutory procedures for abandonment, the City may convey for fair market value the abandoned ROW to Flagstaff Hotels, LLC while reserving a 26-foot wide public utility easement (PUE) for existing utility infrastructure and proposed water infrastructure required for the development.
On May 10, 2023, The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended abandonment based on the City Staff report findings that the abandonment is consistent with the General Plan, Zoning Code, any applicable Specific Plan, and all applicable Utilities and Public Works Division standards. City Staff prepared the attached report presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission in which it recommends abandonment of the ROW with the following condition:
1. A new PUE should be recorded concurrently with the abandonment of the ROW.
For Council consideration, Staff recommends selling the property to the adjacent owner, in the event it submits a minimum bid of $4.97/sqft, or a total minimum bid of $25,578.
City staff also considered whether the ROW should be retained for the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS). However, reserving the ROW for a trail use was not deemed necessary as bicyclists may travel along W. Kaibab Lane to S. Thompson Street or S. Woodlands Village Blvd. to access Route 66 at a signalized crossing. |
Financial Impact: |
The City Charter requires property to be sold at public auction. State law provides that if the property is sold, the City is to receive “an amount …commensurate with the value of the abandoned roadway. “ City Council may consider “fragmentation and marketability and any other public benefit received” in return in determining the amount of consideration., per A.R.S. § 28-7208. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 28-7204 an abutting property owner’s timely offer shall be preferred over all other offers.
City staff has not obtained an appraisal of the property proposed for abandonment, but has prepared an estimate of value based on the following factors:
- The 2018 sales price of the adjacent properties establishes a $19.14/SQFT price
- A downward adjustment of 50% is made to account for the impact in value of the existing utility infrastructure
- A downward adjustment of 30% is made to account for the fragmentation of the ROW. Its marketability is limited to assemblage purposes.
- An upward adjustment of 30% is made to account for the increase in property values over the last five (5) years.
Based on these factors, Staff recommends selling the property, setting a minimum bid price of $4.97/SQFT for a total minimum bid price of $25,578 for the abandoned ROW. |
Policy Impact: |
None. |
Connection to PBB Priorities/Objectives, Carbon Neutrality Plan & Regional Plan: |
Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives
Livable Community - Provide amenities and activities that support a healthy lifestyle.
Regional Plan
Goal T.1. Improve mobility and access throughout the region.
Goal T.2. Improve transportation safety and efficiency for all modes. |
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This: |
None. |
Options and Alternatives: |
1. Approve abandonment, and minimum bid price of $3.82/SqFt (Recommended)
2. Approve abandonment, but with different minimum bid price or direct staff to obtain an appraisal
3. Remand back to Planning and Zoning Commission for further consideration
4. Do not approve abandonment |
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