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Home My WebLink About12-19-2002 Planning and Zoning CommissionInformal Meeting CANCELLED Agenda Formal Meeting Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday, December 19, 2002 - 7:30 p.m. Emma J. Harvat Hall (Civic Center) A. Call to Order B. Public Discussion of Any Item Not on the Agenda C. Announcement of Vacancies on City Boards and Commissions D. Vacation Item: VACO2-00008 Discussion of a city -initiated application to vacate portions of Madison Street, Davenport Street, and Bloomington Street adjacent to the old Iowa City Water Plant. E. Comprehensive Plan: Setting a public hearing for January 16 to consider amendments to the Comprehensive Plan to include the updated Arterial Street Plan. F. Other: G. Consideration of the December 5, 2002 Meeting Minutes. H. ADJOURNMENT Uncominz Planning & Zoninz Commission Meetings: Informal January 13 February 3 Cancelled Presidents Da March 3 March 17 March 31 Formal January 16 February 6 February 20 March 6 March 20 April 3 CITY OF IOWA CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Location of Agenda Items, 12-19-02 STAFF REPORT To: Planning and Zoning Commission Item: VACO2-00008 Portions of Madison, Bloomington and Davenport Streets GENERAL INFORMATION: Applicant: Contact Person: Requested Action: Purpose: Location: Size: Existing Land Use and Zoning: Surrounding Land Use and Zoning: Comprehensive Plan: File Date: BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Prepared by: John Yapp Date: December 19, 2002 City of Iowa City 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 Chuck Schmadeke, Director, Department of Public Works. Phone: 356-5140 Vacation of right-of-way To allow for portions of Madison Street, Bloomington Street and Davenport Street to be disposed of to the University of Iowa Adjacent to the old Iowa City Water Plant property 3.62 acres Public right-of-way North: University of Iowa, Public South: University of Iowa, Public East: Water Plant, Public West: Iowa River and University of Iowa, Public Public December 2, 2002 The City Council recently approved a contract with the University of Iowa for the sale of the old Iowa City Water Plant property, including the abutting portions of Madison Street, Bloomington Street and Davenport Street rights -of -way. The agreement to sell the University of Iowa the old Water Plant property, when it is ceased to be used, was initially reached as part of the agreement that resulted in the City purchasing the Eastlawn property from the University, where the Tower Place and Parking building now sits. The vacation of these rights -of -way and selling of the old Water Plant is the culmination of the transaction that began when the City acquired the Eastlawn property. With the new Water Plant set to begin operation soon, the old Water Plant will no longer be needed, and the City is preparing to convey it to the University. The contract recently approved provides that the City will pursue vacation of the rights -of -way adjacent to the old Water Plant, and for the vacations to be completed by February 1. 2 ANALYSIS: Typically, vacating right-of-way can be recommended if 1) it will not have a negative effect on pedestrian or vehicular circulation, or planned circulation routes, 2) it will not be detrimental to emergency vehicle or utility vehicle access to adjacent properties, and 3) it will not diminish access to adjacent properties. This analysis is somewhat unique in that the proposed vacation is to facilitate the transfer of the property to the University of Iowa, another governmental entity, and no private property will be affected. With the sale of the old Water Plant, the City no longer requires these rights -of -way for access. Various utility easements, including water main, drain line, telecommunications lines, electric lines, sanitary sewer, and Jordan and Silurian well sites will be retained. The City will retain control of a water storage facility on the property, though it may be moved, at some point in the future, to an alternate location provided by the University and agreed to by the City. Part of the Madison Street right-of-way contains a sidewalk connection between the Hancher Bridge and the Iowa Memorial Union. This sidewalk, which is a University walkway to the north and south of Madison Street, would become University property. The Davenport and Bloomington Street rights -of -way to the east have been previously vacated. With the sale of the Water Plant property, all the land surrounding these rights -of -way is University of Iowa property. Staff believes there is no City interest in continuing to incur cost, staff -time, and liability maintaining these streets. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends VACO2-00008, a city -initiated application to vacate approximately 3.62 acres of portions of Madison Street, Bloomington Street and Davenport Street rights -of -way adjacent to the old Iowa City Water Plant site be approved. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Location map 2. Resolution authorizing purchase agreement between the City of Iowa City and the University of Iowa for the old Water Plant property Approved b : PP Y Robert Miklo, Senior Planner, Department of Planning and Community Development UJyapp$\vacations\mad ison, bloomi ngton,daven port street vacation.doc Prepared by: Eleanor Dilkes, City Attorney, 410 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240 (319) 356-5030 RESOLUTION NO. 02-329 RESOLUTION APPROVING A PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF IOWA CITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA FOR THE OLD WATER PLANT SITE ON MADISON STREET AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN. AND THE CITY CLERK TO ATTEST ANY DOCUMENT OF CONVEYANCE REQUIRED BY SAID AGREEMENT. WHEREAS, the City is building a new water plant north of Interstate 80 and intends to vacate the old water plant site on Madison Street when the new plant is operational; and WHEREAS, the University of Iowa desires to purchase the old water plant site; and WHEREAS, an agreement for the University's purchase of the old water plant site from the City of Iowa City has been negotiated and is attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF IOWA CITY, IOWA, THAT: 1. The purchase agreement attached hereto between the City of Iowa City and the University of Iowa for the old water plant property on Madison Street is hereby approved. 2. The City Attorney is hereby directed and authorized to take all action necessary by the City to effectuate the conveyance of real estate required by said agreement. At the direction of the City Attorney, the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign and the City Clerk to attest any document of conveyance or easement required by said agreement. Passed and approved this 24th day of Set er YOR SEAL eleanorVeMwaterplant.2doc p roved City Attorneys Office 0000:15 • Resolution No. 02-329 Page 2 It was moved by Pfab and seconded by Vanderhoef the Resolution be adopted, and upon roll call there were: AYES: NAYS: ABSENT: x Champion X - = - Kanner X Lehman O'Donnell x Pfab _x_ Vanderhoef X Wilburn 00001G