Staff recommends that City Council accept the Public Access Easement from Scott Lawson.

As part of the subdivision plat for Elysian Subdivision (attached), the Developer dedicated the north one-half of a commercial street right-of-way along the southern boundary of the subdivision.  With the development of Elysian Subdivision, the Developer will be required to construct a portion of the commercial street, which will be at least 30-feet of asphalt.  A full width commercial street is at least 40-feet wide.  A portion of the street will be constructed south of the subdivision and requires an easement.  The preliminary plat for Elysian Subdivision was approved at the May 22, 2023 City Council meeting.

Scott Lawson owns the 40-acre property to the south of Elysian Subdivision. This property is mostly vacant and located in the County.  Future development of Mr. Lawson's property will require the other half of the commercial street to be dedicated and constructed.  In the meantime, Mr. Lawson has agreed to give the City a 35-foot wide public access easement, so the street can be constructed at this time to a minimum of 30-foot width.

City Council may:

• Approve the public access easement; or,
• Not approve the public access easement.  If not approved, Elysian Subdivision will not have the right-of-way or easement width in order to construct a half-street.  

There is no significant financial impact to the City with acceptance of the public access easement.