Consider Vacating Permanent Road Easement over a portion of 14911 Ramsey Blvd and the Parcel to the North with a Property Identification Number (PIN) of 22-32-25-33-0017

In 1978, the City was deeded a fifty (50) foot wide Permanent Road Easement (the "Easement") that partially encumbered 14911 Ramsey Blvd and the property directly to the north (together, the "Subject Property").  The purpose of the Easement appears to have been for a future service road to parallel Ramsey Blvd.  However, this service road is no longer necessary for public purposes.

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The general public likely assumes that this is simply the driveway providing access to the Ramsey Market business that operates on the Subject Property.  However, due to the Easement, the City is responsible for maintenance for this stretch of pavement, including plowing, repairs and resurfacing. With no apparent need for this Easement any longer, the City could realize some slight cost savings by vacating the Easement, which would eliminate the City's maintenance obligations. 

The attached Ordinance #15-16 is in DRAFT form as Staff is still working on completing the specific legal description for the vacation.  The Subject Property is unplatted, thus, the southerly portion of the Easement will need to be retain for public purposes for traversing 149th Ave.  Staff will have the correct legal description inserted into Ordinance #15-16 prior to introduction with City Council.

Alternatives:

Option 1:  Recommend that the City Council adopt Ordinance #15-16, vacating the Easement on the Subject Property.  The purpose of the Easement appears to have been to accommodate a service road parallel to Ramsey Blvd.  However, based on the development of the land to the north of the Subject Property, a service road is no longer feasible.  This option eliminates the City's maintenance obligations and should result in a slight cost savings to the City over time.  Staff supports this option.

Option 2: Recommend that the  City Council not vacate the Easement on the Subject Property.  There does not appear to be a need for this Easement any longer.  Vacating the Easement would not impede or impact access to the existing business on the Subject Property.  If the Easement were vacated, the access would continue as is with the only difference being that the owner of the Subject Property would now be responsible for its maintenance.  If the Easement were to be retained, the City would continue with general maintenance activities such as snow plowing, pot hole repairs, and potentially resurfacing/reconstruction in the future.  Staff does not support this option.

The processing of this Ordinance is being handled as part of Staff's regular duties.

Staff recommends adopting Ordinance #15-16 vacating the Permanent Road Easement on the Subject Property.

Motion to recommend that City Council adopt Ordinance #15-16 vacating the fifty (50) foot Permanent Road Easement on 14911 Ramsey Blvd and on the parcel with a Property Identification Number (PIN) of 22-32-25-33-0017.