Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2014-11:  A resolution of the City Council of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona approving an instrument of release and re-conveyance of public utility easements within Lots 126 and 127 as shown on the Final Subdivision Plat for Aspen Place at Sawmill as recorded in Instrument No. 3438431, and the Amended Plat recorded in Instrument No. 3583171, Records of Coconino County ("Easements") granted to the City in the original Subdivision Plat. (Abandoning unnecessary utility easements to allow for improved design in the Village at Aspen Place)

This action will allow the development of these parcels per the approved "The Village at Aspen Place" Inter-Division Staff application. The easements being abandoned are currently unused for their intended purpose, and will not be necessary in the future. City of Flagstaff Engineering Standards prohibit the construction of any part of a building over top of a public utility easement. "The Village at Aspen Place" currently approved proposal shows encroachments of the building into these easements, resulting in the need for these easement abandonments.

There are no direct financial impacts to the City. The release of property rights will have a very small reduction of the City's fixed assets inventory.

5. Retain, expand, and diversify economic base

There have been no previous City Council decisions on this topic.

1) Approve the resolution allowing the abandonment of the easements to allow the development of "The Village at Aspen Place" as proposed.
2) Approve the resolution with changes.
3) Not approve the resolution which will prevent the development of "The Village at Aspen Place" as proposed.

As a part of the proposed development changes were made to the original Sawmill subdivision and Master Plan.  As a result of these changes the current proposal required site plan approval and a zoning map amendment.  Community Development staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission have reviewed the site plan and zoning map amendment, and have approved the proposed development.

• Abandoning these easements will allow for the construction of "The Village at Aspen Place" as proposed.
• All Franchise Utility companies have been notified of the abandonments, and they have confirmed that no existing utilities are located within the easements.  The existing private road and existing Public Utility Easement that will remain is sufficient to supply this development, and the surrounding neighborhood, with all City and franchise utilities.
• The Utilities Department has identified a water service within the easement and has addressed the abandonment of this service in the revised development agreement for this development. The development agreement states that the developer is required to abandon the existing service within the easement per the City of Flagstaff Engineering Standards.
• The developer will provide all necessary improvements (including sidewalk and on-street parking) as shown on the approved proposal.
• Staff has reviewed the request and is supportive of the abandonment of the easements to allow for the proposed development.

Consult