Agenda

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County Administrator's Report 14. 5.

BCC Regular Meeting

Discussion

Meeting Date:	05/17/2018
Issue: Schedule a Public Hearing to Consider the Vacation of a Portion of "X" Street and a Portion of West Strong Street
From:	Joy Jones
Department:	Public Works
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Scheduling of a Public Hearing to Consider the Petition to Vacate a Portion of "X" Street and a Portion of West Strong Street - Joy Jones, P.E., Public Works Department Director

That the Board take the following action regarding a Petition to Vacate a Portion of "X" Street and a Portion of West Strong Street:

A. Authorize the scheduling of the 5:32A Public Hearing for June 7, 2018, at 5:32 p.m., to consider the Petition to Vacate a Portion of "X" Street as petitioned by Brownsville Assembly of God Church;

B. Authorize the scheduling of the 5:32B Public Hearing for June 7, 2018, at 5:32 p.m., to consider the Petition to Vacate a Portion of West Strong Street as petitioned by Brownsville Assembly of God Church; and

C. Require the Petitioners to notify all property owners within a 500-foot radius.

BACKGROUND:

The Petitioner, Evon G. Horton, as Chairman for Brownsville Assembly of God, is requesting that the Board of County Commissioners Vacate any interest in the portion of "X" Street (51" right-of-way, Parcel 1, per the petition) lying between West DeSoto Street north to West Gonzales Street (approximately 305 ft x 51 ft, Parcel 2, per the petition).

Parcel 1:
Per the Petitioner's agent, Alan B. Bookman, the Housing Commission has approved an affordable senior housing residence on the two pieces of property, owned by Brownsville Assembly of God, adjacent to the area mentioned in the Petition to Vacate. The residence would be built on one side of the existing "X" Street with parking on the other. The Vacation would allow for safe crossing areas for the senior residents. However, without the Vacation, the housing residence may not take place due to safety concerns for the residents. The development of a senior housing residence will help revitalize Brownsville and bring new businesses to the area.

Parcel 2:
The second area to be Vacated is West Strong Street (55" right-of-way), west of North "Y" Street to Mobile Highway approximately 20,244 square feet). This area was thought to have been Vacated in June of 1997 when the Board approved the Petition to Vacate for a portion of "Z" Street along with a portion of Gonzales Street. That proved not to be the case, however, since that time the church has converted the area of West Strong Street into a paved parking area.

Staff has reviewed the Petition to Vacate request, which includes both "X" Street and West Strong Street. The Road Department has noted that, for "X" Street, there is a small drainage swale that feeds the crossover pipe on Desoto Street, and if the Petition to Vacate is approved, the church must agree to maintain the swale area to manage the drainage in the "X" Street area.

Natural gas mains are currently active in the rights-of-way areas in the petitioned area, so Pensacola Energy required that the mains be capped at the nearest intersection, with the petitioner assuming the cost. The petitioner has already paid for this work and has been issued a no objection letter from Pensacola Energy. All other utility companies in the area are requesting easements. No one will be denied access to his or her property as a result of this Vacation.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

Indirect staff cost associated with the preparation of documents and recommendation.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

N/A

PERSONNEL:

All work associated with this request is being done in-house and no additional staff is required.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

Based on the Board's Vacating, Abandoning, and Closing Existing Public Streets, Rights-of-Way, Alleyways, Roads, Highways, Other Places Used for Travel or Other Lands Dedicated for Public Use or Purposes, or Any Portions Thereof to Renounce and Disclaim Any right of the County and The Public In and To Said Lands policy for closing, vacating and abandoning County Owned property- Section III, and Florida Statues, Chapter 336.

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

Once the Public Hearing has been scheduled, the Petitioner will be notified, the date and time will be advertised, and all owners of property within the area determined by the Board will be notified.

Attachments
Petition to Vacate - Brownsville Assembly of God
Aerial Map - Brownsville Assembly of God Vacation Request