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Open a Public Hearing to Consider a Request to Close a Portion of an Unmaintained and Unimproved Public Right-of-Way on Monroe Street.
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Staff: |
Department: |
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Lance Norris, Director |
Public Works |
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Chris Roberts, Manager of Engineering and Infrastructure |
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Overview: The developer of the Columbia Street Annex, CH Hotel Associates Limited Partnership, proposes to close approximately 150’ of an unmaintained and unimproved portion of Monroe Street. The 30’-wide public right-of-way starts at its connection to the South Columbia Street right-of-way and extends west. This closure will disconnect the current Monroe Street right-of-way from South Columbia Street. The developer will dedicate a new easement providing reasonable access to the right-of-way at Columbia Street.
The requesting party must record and file a full public access easement per the submitted plan with the Orange County Register of Deeds before the subject right-of-way is removed from the plat of the Columbia Street Annex property.
The Columbia Street Annex SUP <https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/planning/development-activity-report/columbia-street-annex-2017> is currently under review (Project Number #18-039).
This process followed the two requirements of North Carolina General Statute Sec. 160A-299:
• Council adopted a resolution declaring its intent to close the public right-of-way and to call a public hearing.
• All publication and posting requirements of this statue have been met.
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Recommendation(s): |
That the Council open a Public Hearing to consider closing the unmaintained and unpaved public right-of-way portion of Monroe Street. Under the recently enacted legislation authorizing public hearings at remote meetings, public comment may continue to be submitted into the hearing record for 24 hours after the October 7 public hearing. On October 28th, the Council may take action on the requested closure.
Fiscal Impact/Resources: The Town did not maintain this right-of-way so there is no cost to the Town.
Key Issues:
• The closure will isolate one property, which is currently accessed via a private driveway to the paved portion of Monroe Street. The developer has proposed a full public access easement, which will continue to provide reasonable legal access to this parcel. The requesting party must record and file a full public access easement per the submitted plan with the Orange County Register of Deeds before the subject right-of-way is removed from the plat of the Columbia Street Annex property.
Where is this item in its process?
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Attachments: |
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• Draft Resolution |
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• Draft Staff Presentation |
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• Closure Request Letter from Wendi Ramsden, Coulter Jewell Thames, PA (representing CH Hotel Associates Limited Partnership, Owner) |
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• Requested Monroe Street Public Right-of-Way Closure Plan |
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• NC General Statute 160A-299 |
DRAFT RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A REQUEST TO CLOSE A PORTION OF AN UNMAINTAINED AND UNIMPROVED PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY ON MONROE STREET (2020-##-##/R-**)
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has received a request from Wendi Ramsden, Coulter Jewell Thames, PA (representing CH Hotel Associates Limited Partnership, Owner) to close a portion of the unmaintained and unimproved Monroe Street public right-of-way; and
WHEREAS, one parcel will become isolated with this right-of-way closure; however, the right-of-way closure applicant will provide a legal reasonable means of access to this isolated property with a full public access easement; and
WHEREAS, dedication of the full public access easement will be required before the completion of the right-of-way closure process; and
WHEREAS, the Council finds, upon review of the facts and of information received at the Public Hearing, that closing this section of the Monroe Street right-of-way would not be contrary to the public interest and that no individual owning property in the vicinity of the proposed closures would be deprived of reasonable means of ingress and egress to his or her property by the closing of said right-of-way.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby approves the closure of a portion of the unmaintained and unimproved public right-of-way of Monroe Street.
This the 28th day of October, 2020.
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The Agenda will reflect the text below and/or the motion text will be used during the meeting. |
presenter
PRESENTER: Chris Roberts, Manager of Engineering and Infrastructure
a. Introduction and preliminary recommendation
b. Comments from the public
c. Comments and questions from the Mayor and Town Council
d. Motion to Close the Public Hearing 24-hours after discussing this item to allow additional comments in the record per recent Legislation
e. Consider adopting the resolution to approve the right-of-way closure at the October 28 meeting.
RECOMMENDATION: That the Council open a Public Hearing to consider closing the unmaintained and unpaved public right-of-way portion of Monroe Street. On October 28th, the Council may take action on the requested closure.