Through the expansion of the Riverstone Health campus, a parking lot was constructed on the north half of Block 142 within the Billings Original Townsite.  This is located between 1st Avenue North and 2nd Avenue North west of South 25th Street.  There is an alley right of way in the middle of the block that runs north/south from 1st Avenue South to 2nd Avenue South.  With the parking lot construction, the approach off of 1st Avenue North to the alley was closed off.  Access to the alley right of way was maintained from 2nd Avenue North as there is a sanitary sewer main within the alley right of way. 

Recently, Riverstone Health submitted a permit to build a warehouse next to the alley right of way.  With this, they are proposing to close off the access from 2nd Avenue North and access the warehouse from the parking lot.  They originally wanted to vacate the alley, however, with the sanitary sewer main located in the alley, city staff prefers to keep this alley as right of way.  Riverstone Health has petitioned the city to discontinue the alley.  This would keep the area as right of way, but would not allow through vehicle access.  If the access at 2nd Avenue South is allowed to be closed, access to the sanitary sewer would need to be through the private parking lot.  The city would need to enter into an easement for this access which will be presented at the April 13th City Council meeting.      

The Council may:

• Approve acknowledgment of petition to discontinue the above-mentioned alley and set a public hearing for April 13, 2020.
• Do not acknowledge the petition and terminate the discontinue process.  If not approved, the petitioner would need to maintain access from 2nd Avenue South.

There is minimal cost to the city to acknowledge this petition and set a public hearing date.  

Staff recommends that Council acknowledge the receipt of petition to discontinue the alley within Block 142 of Original Townsite and set a public hearing for April 13, 2020.