DEPARTMENT: EastPoint & Real Estate Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Etienne
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 6
SUBJECT: Disposition: ROW Closures (unimproved portions of Glendale Avenue and Alice Fay Avenue)
SUMMARY: Consideration of an ordinance authorizing the closure, vacation and abandonment of a 0.341 acre unimproved portion of Glendale Avenue and a 0.387 acre unimproved portion of Alice Fay Avenue with conditions in Council District 6 as requested by Habitat for Humanity.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
For over 35 years, Habitat for Humanity has provided home ownership to low-income families in San Antonio. Families are accepted to the Habitat program based on their need and ability to pay a 0% interest mortgage. Families also spend a minimum of 300 hours investing in "sweat equity" where they support and help build their own house and that of their neighbors. Habitat for Humanity provides new, energy efficient homes that transform neighborhoods and make a marked difference in the appearance, safety and health of targeted neighborhoods.
Habitat for Humanity acquired undeveloped properties within the Prosperity Heights subdivision between Joe Blanks Street and Estrella Street where they plan to construct twenty to twenty-one homes as part of its Hope Village project. There is an unimproved portion of Glendale Avenue and Alice Fay Avenue within the area to be developed. Habitat for Humanity requests that the city close, vacate and abandon its interest in these unimproved rights-of-way so it can assemble, then re-plat the properties as part of the development process.
The unimproved rights-of-way will not be constructed per the original plat approved in 1950. Habitat for Humanity plans to assemble and reconfigure the properties, therefore, it is necessary for the city to close, vacate and abandon its interest in the rights-of-way as they exist in the original plat, so the petitioner can reconfigure and re-plat.
Habitat for Humanity has acquired the unimproved properties south of Joe Blanks, north of Estrella that includes the unimproved portions of Glendale and Alice Fay. Habitat for Humanity will secure infrastructure funding, and then proceed with construction between February and July 2015. Home construction should begin in Fall 2016.
ISSUE:
Consideration of an ordinance authorizing the closure, vacation and abandonment of a 0.341 acre unimproved portion of Glendale Avenue and a 0.387 acre unimproved portion of Alice Fay Avenue with conditions in Council District 6 as requested by Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity acquired undeveloped properties within the Prosperity Heights subdivision between Joe Blanks Street and Estrella Street. Habitat for Humanity plans to construct twenty to twenty-one homes as part of its Hope Village project. There is an unimproved portion of Glendale Avenue and Alice Fay Avenue within the area to be developed. Habitat for Humanity requests that the city close, vacate and abandon its interest in these unimproved rights-of-way so it can assemble, then re-plat the properties as part of the development process.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to close, vacate and abandon these unimproved rights-of-way, however the city would remain responsible for the rights-of-way; and Habitat for Humanity would not be able to develop the properties, so the properties would not be placed on the tax rolls.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The property in question was appraised at $31,700.00 by Sandison Appraisal, LLC.
Staff recommends waiving the closure fee because of the 501(c)3 nonprofit status of Habitat for Humanity, and because this development would strengthen Habitat for Humanity and the City's efforts to provide affordable housing and leverages private sector participation. With closure fees waived, there would be no fiscal impact to the City.
The proposed closures fall within both the Inner City Revitalization/Infill Policy area, and the REnewSA's Edgewood Community.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the request to close, vacate and abandon unimproved portions of Glendale Avenue and Alice Fay Avenue in Council District 6 as requested by Habitat for Humanity.