PRESENTER: Presenter
Christopher J. Looney, AICP; Planning and Development Services Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the second and final reading of an ordinance regarding the proposed abandonment of approximately 7,231 square feet (0.166 acres) of unimproved public right-of-way, located between Hill Avenue and the terminus of Garden Street.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning and Development Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Council District 6
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Case No.: CS21-0093
Owner/Applicants: James Farley Guillermina Espinosa
416 S Hill Avenue 386 S Hill Avenue
New Braunfels, TX 78130 New Braunfels, TX 78130
Jamesfarley86@gmail.com eamerica63@gmail.com
Staff Contact: Holly Mullins
(830) 221-4054 hmullins@nbtexas.org
On September 27, 2021 City Council unanimously approved the first reading of the applicant’s requested ordinance. (7-0-0)
The subject property is approximately 7,231 square feet (0.166 acres) of unimproved right-of-way located between Hill Avenue/Union Pacific railroad tracks and Academy Avenue. Garden Street does not cross the railroad tracks, and the portion between the railroad tracks and Castell Avenue was incorporated into the adjacent rail yard and former city hall complex decades prior. The subject property is a remaining portion of the Garden Street right-of-way that once was intended to connect Academy Avenue to Hill Avenue. In 1987 City Council approved the abandonment of a portion of Garden Street where a single-family residence, 397 Academy Avenue, was subsequently built.
Surrounding property is zoned SND-1 Special Neighborhood District and consists primarily of single-family homes, and the Sophienburg Museum.
The applicants each own the lots on both sides of Garden Street right-of-way. They are requesting to purchase the right-of-way and divide the land among themselves and the property owners of 397 Academy Avenue. The configuration will be reviewed as part of the required platting of the property if approved.
The request was reviewed by the City’s Public Works, Parks, Police and Fire Departments as well as New Braunfels Utilities, AT&T, Spectrum and CenterPoint Energy. There was no objection to the abandonment; however, NBU did identify existing utilities within the right-of-way that will require easements if the property is sold and platted.
An appraisal was conducted by an independent appraiser at the City’s request. After accounting for multiple easements and encumbrances within the right-of-way, staff and the applicants have agreed on a value of $25,268. The applicants have agreed to pay this amount if the abandonment is approved by City Council.
If approved, the abandoned right-of-way must be incorporated into the adjacent properties through the platting process within 180 days of City Council’s approval. This is to ensure taxpayers are receiving the current value of the property. If not accomplished within this time frame, a new appraisal must be performed.
Surrounding Zoning and Land Use:
North - SND-1 HD/ Single-family residence
South - SND-1 HD/ Single-family residence
East - Across Hill Avenue and railroad tracks, M-1/ Rail yard, City Municipal Building
West - SND-1 HD/ Single-family residence
ISSUE:
The proposed abandonment is consistent with the following actions from Envision New Braunfels:
• Action 1.3: Encourage balanced and fiscally responsible land use patterns.
• Action 1.6: Incentivize infill development and redevelopment to take advantage of existing infrastructure.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The addition of $25,268 from the sale of unimproved right-of-way, plus the addition of 0.166 of an acre to the tax rolls.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
On September 8, 2021 the Planning Commission recommended approval of the request. (8-0-0) with Commissioner Gibson absent.
Multiple City departments and NBU reviewed the request and have no objection to the abandonment if the required utility easements are created with the new plat. Staff recommends approval with the following conditions:
1. The subject property must be included in a plat of the adjacent properties owned by the applicants in compliance with the City’s Subdivision Platting standards within 180 days.
2. The plat shall include the following easements:
a. A minimum 20-foot wide utility easement, 10 feet on either side of the existing water and wastewater lines.
b. A minimum 10-foot wide utility easement for the existing electric secondary line.
3. Ownership transfer of the property will occur by a Deed Without Warranty after the final plat has been approved by the City.
4. Recordation of the final plat will occur after the transfer of ownership of the property.
Resource Links:
Chapter 118-56 Closure, abandonment, and sale of public right-of-way:
<https://library.municode.com/tx/new_braunfels/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH118SUPL_ARTIVDEST_S118-56CLABSAPURI-W>
Attachments:
Aerial Map
Land Use Maps (Zoning, Existing and Future Land Use)
Survey of Subject Property
Photograph
Draft Planning Commission Minutes
Ordinance