12/18/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Evaluation of Vacation Request The proposed vacation was sent to the various referra 1 agencies and the Downtown CommJssion. Notice.of the request was also sent to all abutting . property owners and occupants. Based on the comments received from these parties and the following factors, the staff makes the following evaluation of this street and alley vacation request: 1. The subject area is not presently or in the future needed for public services, facilities, or utilities; The various public agencies including Eugene Public Works Department, Eugene Water and Electric Board, Northwest Natural Gas, Pacific Northwest Bell, and Group W Cable receieved notice of the vacation and indicate that there are existing utilities and public facilities within the areas of vacation. The staff is recommending that public utility easements be retained for all areas in this vacation request to cover the existing facilities. In the future if EWES wished to relocate these public facilities, the public utility easements could be vacated. 2. Such public services, facilities or utilities can be extended in an orderly and efficient manner; and Retention of public utility easements for the areas of this request will ensure the ability to provide public services in this area and opportunity for orderly and efficient extension of services in the future if needed. 3. The vacation is consistent with applicable transportation plans. As noted above, the entire EWES site was the subject of extensive review . during the master plan review. The portion of the site which covers the area of this vacation is planned for outside storage and surface parking along Fourth Avenue. In the future, if a parking structure is warranted, it will be situated on this property, west of the Ferry Street overpass. In all thi s planning, there was no indication for future need of the alleys of street rights-of-way for future public access. The master plan also allows for the future expansion of the Ferry Street bri dge and approaches by provi di ng a setback for future building and development in alignment with the existing overpass. EWES indicates that when this portion of the site is developed in conjunction with parking and the future office building, that pedestrian access would be provi de to connect the Fifth Street area with the main EWES office and riverfront area. This access will use the existing right-of-way along High Street and Fourth Avenue. In addition, there will be opportunity for internal pedestrian ways through the EWES site. Recommendation Based on the above evaluation the staff recommends that the City Council approved the subject street and alley vacation retaining public util ity easements over the areas being vacated. Attachment: Vicinity Map .