DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 4
SUBJECT: Real Estate Disposition: Release of three city drainage easements
SUMMARY:
Consideration of a resolution recommending the release of three city drainage easements being 0.05 of an acre, 0.02 of an acre and 0.12 of an acre located in New City Block 15228 along Ray Ellison Boulevard located in Council District 4 for a fee of $13,972.56 as requested by HDC Freedom Hills LLC.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio acquired real property interests to complete the 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond Project, Ray Ellison Blvd. (Loop 410 to Old Pearsall Rd). The project provided for the reconstruction and widening of approximately two miles of Ray Ellison Boulevard, from Loop 410 to Old Pearsall Road. It also included various Low Impact Development (LID) features and underground drainage. The city acquired permanent interests for infrastructure features and drainage easements to improve area drainage.
Freedom Hills subdivision will be a 157 lot single-family residential community when it is completed. The developers for this subdivision have completed the plats, recorded in county property records; constructed the streets, and then delivered (sold) the lots to home builders. The first 66 lots for Unit 1 were delivered in 2006.
HDC Freedom Hills, LLC (petitioner) took over as the developer in 2016 to complete the remaining 91 lots. The original developer sold permanent drainage easements to the City of San Antonio for its 2012-2017 Ray Ellison Bond Project prior to selling the property to HDC Freedom Hills, LLC.
The petitioner requested the city release a portion of drainage easement along Ray Ellison Boulevard that encumbers 12 residential lots in Freedom Hills Units 3 and 4. The request was reviewed by the Transportation & Capital Improvement’s Storm Water Division (controlling department of the drainage easement) and it was determined that the city could access the LID basins, for maintenance purposes, via Ray Ellison Boulevard. Releasing this portion of the easement would allow homebuilders to construct larger homes, and property owners could move their fences closer to Ray Ellison Boulevard. The property owners could utilize the subject property, and they would be responsible for maintaining the area. A subsurface sewer easement would remain.
ISSUE:
This resolution, if approved, will recommend the release of three city drainage easements being 0.05 of an acre, 0.02 of an acre and 0.12 of an acre located in New City Block 15228 along Ray Ellison Boulevard located in Council District 4 for a fee of $13,972.56 as requested by HDC Freedom Hills LLC.
HDC Freedom Hills, LLC (petitioner) took over as the developer in 2016 to complete the remaining 91 lots. The original developer sold permanent drainage easements to the City of San Antonio for its 2012-2017 Ray Ellison Bond Project prior to selling the property to HDC Freedom Hills, LLC.
The petitioner requested the city release a portion of drainage easement along Ray Ellison Boulevard that encumbers 12 residential lots in Freedom Hills Units 3 and 4. The request was reviewed by the Transportation & Capital Improvement’s Storm Water Division (controlling department of the drainage easement) and it was determined that the city could access the LID basins, for maintenance purposes, via Ray Ellison Boulevard. Releasing this portion of the easement would allow homebuilders to construct larger homes, and property owners could move their fences closer to Ray Ellison Boulevard. The property owners could utilize the subject property, and they would be responsible for maintaining the area. A subsurface sewer easement would remain.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Planning Commission could choose not to approve this request, however the request has been reviewed and approved by TCI’s Storm Water Division and approval would allow abutting property owners the use of the property; the obligation to maintain the property, and the subject property would be placed on the tax rolls.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this resolution authorizing the release of a drainage easement as requested by HDC Freedom Hills LLC.