Community & Leadership Development, Inc.(CLDI) has petitioned to vacate a portion of Monroe Street just north of Orrel Street.  CLDI has purchased lots 11-20 in Straw Subdivision at the corner of Orrel Street and Monroe Street and proposes to aggregate the lots and the vacated portion of Monroe Street and then construct 5 duplexes on the property.  Access for the duplexes will be taken off Orrel Street.  Monroe Street is undeveloped along this property and the right of way width is insufficient to construct a street.  When Straw Subdivision was platted, only 30 feet of right of way was dedicated.  The properties on the other side of the Monroe right of way include Riverside School and a single family home with access from another street.  Neither need Monroe Street to be constructed.  The area of the street proposed to be vacated is 9,583 square feet.  

The Council may:

• After holding a public hearing, approve the vacation of the above-mentioned right of way; or
• Do not approve the vacation of the right of way.

The petitioners have provided a letter of value by a realtor for the right of way.  Donald Lohrenz from Real Estate by Hamwey has established the value of the right of way at $2.29/sf.  The letter states that the area of the vacation is 7,650 square feet, however, it is actually 9,583 square feet.    At the June 9, 2014 Council Meeting it was presented that the valuation of the right of way would be $25,810.00.  Based on the actual square footage and the value provided by Hamway, the correct valuation of the right of way is $21,945.07 and this is the value that staff asks Council to approve.

Staff recommends that Council approve the vacation of a portion of Monroe Street within Straw Subdivision.