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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApplicationAPPLICATION FOR THE ABANDONMENT OF A PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY/EASEMENT Date: February 12, 1999 Location of Right-of-Way /Easement to be Abandoned: Lot 9, Woodland Acres Subdivision, College Station, Texas Property Owner's Name & Address: William L. and Barbara B. Huskey 10030 Warwana Road; Houston TX 77080 Property Owner's Phone Number: 713 / 467 -1613 TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE STATION: The undersigned hereby makes application for the abandonment of that portion of the above right-of-way particularly described in Exhibit No. 1, attached. In support of this application, the undersigned represents and warrants the following: 1 . The undersigned will hold the City of College Station harmless, and indemnify it against all suits, costs, expenses, and damages that may arise or grow out of such abandonment. 2. Attached, marked Exhibit No. 1, are two sealed metes and bounds descriptions (dividing the area in half of the area sought to be abandoned, prepared by a Registered Public Surveyor. 3. Attached, marked Exhibit No. 2, are two copies of a plat or detailed sketch of that portion of the public right-of-way/easement sought to be abandoned and the surrounding area to the nearest streets in all directions, showing the abutting lots and block, and the subdivision in which the above described right-of-way/easement is situated, together with the record owners of such lots. 4. Attached, marked Exhibit No. 3, is the consent of all public utilities to the abandonment. 5. Attached, marked Exhibit No. 4, is the consent of the City of College Station staff to the abandonment. 6. Attached, marked Exhibit No. 5, is the consent of all the abutting property owners, except the following: (if none, so state): None cAwlhcenter\new house\fenceline.doc 7. Such public-right-of-way/easement should be abandoned because: The Right-of-Way and property contiguous to it (Lot 9) is presently undeveloped. A residence for the Owners of Lot 9 will be erected at that location and the property maintained as a lawn. Reclassifying a portion of the very wide Right-of-Way to "Easement Access" will allow the entire area to be maintained in a manner that will enhance the overall appearance of the neighborhood. In the event Lincoln Avenue is widened, the land proposed for Easement Access would revert to Right-of-Way status. The Owners comprehensive statement, supported by dimensioned illustrations, is presented as Exhibit No. 6 of this document. 8. Such public right-of-way/easement has been and is being used as follows: A water supply line. We swear that all of the information contained in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. Applicant's Signature: l-1 Applicant's Name: William L. Huskey Barbara B. Huskey_ Applicant's Address:-10030 Warwana Road; Houston TX 77080 Applicant's Phone Number: 713 / 467 - 1613 STATE OF TEXAS ) COUNTY OF BRAZOS HARRIS ) ACKNOWLEDGMENT Subscribed and sworn to before me, a Notary Public, this ! day of 19Ql R.R. VERNOny b Notary PUbdu State of Texas My comp •;sion Expires Not,, MARCH 1 1999 of T Public in and for the State clwlhcenter\new house\fenceline.doc 2 Application for Abandonment of a Public Right-of-Way/Easement Located: Lot 9, Woodland Acres subdivision. EXHIBIT NO. I Attached are two sealed copies of the metes and bounds description (dividing the area in half) of the public right-of-way/easement situated in The Woodland Acres Addition/Subdivision to the City of College Station, Brazos County, Texas, sought to be abandoned. Refer to a comprehensive drawing 0411008031 3A prepared by Kling Engineering & Surveying February, 1999 cAwlhcenter\new house\fenceline.doc 3 F- Application for Abandonment of a Public Right-of-Way/Easement Located: Lot 9, Woodland Acres Subdivision EXHIBIT N0.2 Attached are two copies of a plat or detailed sketch of the public right-of--way/easement sought to be abandoned in the above-mentioned application, showing the surrounding area to the nearest streets in all directions, abutting lots, the block or blocks in which the portion of the public right-of-way/easement sought to be vacated is situated, and the addition or subdivision in which the portion of the public right-of-way/easement sought to be abandoned is situated. Also, the names of record owners of the abutting lots are shown. Refer to a comprehensive drawing 0411008031 3A prepared by Kling Engineering & Surveying February, 1999 Lot 26 is owned by Stephen J. & Francisca Miller 906 Munson; College Station TX 77840 cAwlhcenteAnew house\fenceline.doc 4 Application for Abandonment of a Public Right-of-Way/Easement Located: Lot 9, Woodland Acres Subdivision. EXHIBIT NO.3 The undersigned public utility companies, using or entitled to use, under the terms and provisions of our respective franchises with the City of College Station, that portion of the public right-of-way/utility easement sought to be abandoned in the Application for Abandonment above referred to, do hereby consent to the abandonment of the described portion thereof. LONE STAR GAS COMPANY BY: Title GENERAL TELEPHONE COMPANY BY: Title TCA CABLE COMPANY BY: Title These Utility providers are not parties to the issue. c:\wlhcenter\new house\fenceline.doc 5 Application for Abandonment of a Public Right-of-Way/Easement Located Lot 9, Woodland Acres Subdivision. EXHIBIT NO.4 The undersigned, City staff of the City of College Station, certify that they have carefully considered the Application for Abandonment of the public right-of-way/easement referred to above from the standpoint of City of College Station ordinances and with respect to present and future needs of the City of College Station and see no objection to the requested abandonment from the City's standpoint. City Engineer City of College Station Building Official City of College Station Zoning Official City of College Station Fire Marshal City of College Station Director of Public Utilities City of College Station cAwlhcenter\new house\tenceline.doc 6 Application for Abandonment of a Public Right-of-Way/Easement Located: Lot 9 of Woodland Acres parallel to Lincoln Ave. EXHIBIT NO. 5 The undersigned, owners of propertv abutting uoon that portion of the public right-of- way/easement named and described in the Application for Abandonment of a Public Right-of-Way/Easement referred to above, do hereby consent to such abandonment. NAME: ADDRESS Stephen J. and Francisca Miller 906 Munson College Station, TX 77840 NAME: ADDRESS: NAME: ADDRESS: NAME: ADDRESS: js/dfonus/abandonl - 7 - 11102/94 EXHIBIT No. 6 STATEMENT OF OWNER'S INTENT William L. and Barbara B. Huskey, owners of Lot 9 in the Woodland Acres subdivision (Ashburn at Lincoln Streets) purchased the property a few months ago for the purpose of constructing a home at that location. It will be built for their use. The home design effort is underway. An issue has arisen with regard to the long term use of the existing Right-Of-Way between Lot 9 and Lincoln Avenue. The property and an adjoining lot (26) is located adjacent to a strip of Right-of-Way that is relatively wide when compared to other Right-of-Way allocations along Lincoln Avenue. Modifying the existing access designation will permit optimum use of the land in a development scenario. A privacy fence, attractive in appearance, will be erected parallel to Lincoln Avenue. Two locations for the fence are identified and each location will have a unique influence on the Right-of-Way along Lincoln Avenue. The locations that are considered and the effects of each are presented in the text that follows: • Erecting the fence on the Owner's property: A fence at this location will have no effect on the 35 x 400 foot Right-of-Way. In its present state, generally not maintained, it is subject to maintenance as a "vacant lot". (This is not the fence location of choice). • Erecting the fence 15 feet from Lincoln Avenue: (The fence line location preferred). The effect of erecting the fence at this locationis that the Right-of-Way width will be reduced to a manageable size. It can then be maintained as a lawn by the Owners of Lot 9. This width of Right-of-Way generally conforms to that existing along most of Lincoln Avenue. The remaining 20 feet of existing Right-of-Way nearest Lot 9, when reclassified to "Easement Access", can be maintained as part of the Owner's lawn. The present Right-of-Way at Lots 9 and 26 is relatively wide when compared to other Right- of-Way along Lincoln Avenue. It is rectangular shape and contiguous to Lincoln Avenue. It is proposed that a portion of the existing Right-Of-Way be reclassified to EASEMENT ACCESS until the City undertakes to widen Lincoln avenue. This reclassification will provide unrestricted access by the City to access an existing water supply line buried beneath the proposed Easement Access. If the City undertakes to widen Lincoln Avenue and has need of the land the classification could revert to Right-of-Way access. cAwlhcenteAnew houseWenceline.doc 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2.0 PROPOSAL 3.0 CONDITIONS AND BENEFITS 4.0 DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES 5.0 SUMMARY TABLE OF FIGURES FIGURE 1: PLAN & PROFILE MAP, LINCOLN STREET EXTENTION (PART) FIGURE 2: EXISTING LAND USE ACCESS FIGURE 3: PROPOSED LAND USE ACCESS FIGURE 4: FOOTPRINT OF HOUSE UNDER DESIGN c:\wlhcenter\new house\fenceline.doc 9 PROPOSAL TO RECLASSIFY ACCESS 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Woodland Acres subdivision was created in 1940. At that time, it is understood that Lincoln Street was not continuous in the vicinity of Ashburn and Munson Streets. The present Right-of-Way in that area is not constant in width along Lincoln Avenue. At the lot of interest, it is very wide. The present Right-Of-Way designation can be beneficially revised since residential construction is planned for an undeveloped property along Lincoln Avenue. The property is identified as Lot 9 of the Woodland Acres subdivision in College Station, Texas. It is located between Ashburn and Munson Streets. 2.0 PROPOSAL The existing access classification at Lot 9 is Right-Of-Way, being an area rectangular in shape 35 feet from Lincoln Avenue and extending the length of Lots 9 and 26. In order to enhance the future and long-term appearance of the property of Lot 9, as a result of pending construction of a residence thereon, it is proposed that the access to the land contiguous to Lincoln Avenue be reclassified until it is needed for a widening of the street. The proposed reclassification is: • Right-Of-Way, 15 feet from the back of the curb along Lincoln Street toward Lot 9. • Easement Access, 20 feet from the proposed Right-of-Way line toward and contiguous to Lot 9. Illustrations are provided in the attachment to further clarify the issue. Figure 1 is a map of the general area of interest that shows existing street locations, boundaries, and water supply utility service. Figure 2 illustrates the existing right of way with respect to Lincoln and Ashburn Streets as well as Lot 9. Figure 3 illustrates the land strip designation reflecting the proposal. At a distance of 15 feet from the back of the curb along Lincoln Street, the remaining right-of-way width will conform closely to that of the Grand Oaks subdivision to the Northeast and the right-of-way along Lincoln Avenue in a southwesterly direction. Also, the 15 foot line is well suited to accommodating a fence as few trees will be encountered. cAwlhcenter\new house\fenceline.doc 10 3.0 CONDITIONS AND BENEFITS The following terms and conditions might be applicable to the owner of Lot 9 when the proposed reclassification is granted: • The City will have unrestricted access to the access easement. • No building will be erected in the land strip designated as access easement. • No foundations, decorations, or landscaping devices made of concrete will be installed. • Provisions for maintaining the existing water supply line will prevail. This includes leak repair, cathodic protection, and tapping arrangements that require earth movement by machinery. • Along the proposed fence line, no trees taller than the fence (about 7 feet in height) will be removed. (A tree, for this purpose, is at least 3 inches in diameter at ground level). Existing trees along the proposed right-of-way line will be retained. Offsets incorporated into the fence will allow this preservation. This style of fence has been implemented in attractive fashion in modern development areas. 4.0 DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES It is planned to erect a privacy fence along the edge of Lot 9 parallel to Lincoln Avenue. The privacy fence that is planned will be of wood, stained with protective sealant and especially designed to be attractive in appearance. Brick or stone pillars will be strategically located along the fence strategically to provide strength as well as further enhance the appearance. When the proposed reclassification proposal is granted, a landscaping program can be undertaken in the remaining Right-of-Way to further enhance the beauty of the neighborhood. In the arrangement proposed, the land reclassified as "Easement Access" can be included inside the area to be fenced and treated as a lawn by the landowners. The present owners of Lot 9 have been engaged in the design of a residence they plan to occupy. The design effort has been guided by construction restrictions with regard to property boundaries as well as the desire to preserve existing trees. All designs considered the removal of only one cedar tree, which can be regarded as less than elegant in appearance! cAwlhcente6new house4enceline.doc Figure 4 shows the general position of the house planned for Lot 9 relative to the property boundaries. It also shows the shape of the house. It is strategically planned and organized to complement the features of Lot 9. Reclassifying a portion of the existing Right-of-Way to Easement Access will further enhance the appearance of the neighborhood. The City could be removed from any maintenance and care-taking provisions on the Easement Access land in this arrangement. It was learned that Lincoln Avenue is in a class of thoroughfare that requires a wide Right-of- Way. This width of access designated is understood to be related to needs for land if widening is undertaken. Should this step be undertaken by the City, the area proposed for the future Easement Access classification will revert to Right-of-Way designation. 5.0 SUMMARY The proposal represents a step toward effectively using the Lot 9 and the adjoining area for the benefit of both the Owners and the City of College Station. It describes the reclassification of access in a manner that protects the City's right to service utilities and presents a way to manage the total area to the benefit of the City and residents of Woodland Acres. The Proposal provides the City with means to effectively address widening Lincoln Avenue if that event occurs. The optimum solution is to reclassify a portion of the existing Right-of- Way as "Easement Access". c:\wlhcenter\new house\fenceline.doc 12 For Figure 4, refer to the drawing prepared by Kling Engineering & Surveying. The house location is shown with precision. c:\wlhcenter\new houseWmeline.doc 13