DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 3
SUBJECT: Disposition: ROW closure (an unimproved portion of Ackard Place)
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance authorizing the closure, vacation and abandonment of a 0.9183 acre of an unimproved portion of Ackard Place right-of-way located between NCB 9456 and NCB 9457, in Council District 3, as requested by Bexar County.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Bexar County constructed a 4,989 square foot all-digital public library (Bexar County BiblioTech Library). The $2.2 million investment was realized through savings from other capital projects and donations. The facility opened in September, 2013. It is located at 3505 Pleasanton Road. The BiblioTech offers various types of e-readers for external circulation. Patrons are able to download books wherever they are. The facility has computers, laptops and iPads available for internal use. The format allows Bexar County to reach underserved markets in the unincorporated areas of the county in addition to low income communities. The digital format can be accessed by service members deployed or stationed elsewhere; patrons with disabilities; and as part of Bexar County’s probation and rehabilitation programs. The facility offers classes in technology, genealogy, robotics, journalism and story time. Over 19,000 patrons have registered for services through BiblioTech, and over 48,000 patrons visited the facility within the first six months.
The county purchased surrounding properties to utilize for parking. There is an unimproved portion of Ackard Place right-of-way that separates the parking area from the BiblioTech. Bexar County requests that the city close, vacate and abandon a 0.9183 acre unimproved portion of Ackard Place located between Oppenheimer Avenue and Pleasanton Road. If approved, Bexar County will incorporate the right-of-way into its BiblioTech Library campus.
ISSUE:
Consideration of an ordinance authorizing the closure, vacation and abandonment of a 0.9183 acre of an unimproved portion of Ackard Place right-of-way located between NCB 9456 and NCB 9457, in Council District 3, as requested by Bexar County.
Currently, the library and its parking lot are separated by an unimproved portion of West Ackard Place right-of-way. Bexar County would like to close this portion of unimproved right-of-way and replat it with the abutting properties. The closure will allow the County to preserve property continuity, secure the area, and provide pedestrian passage between the library and the parking lot.
The fair market value of the property is $92,000.00 based on an independent appraisal completed by Eckmann Groll, Inc. This request was initiated under Chapter 37, Municipal Code which allowed for the fee to be waived since the right-of-way was originally granted by plat at no cost to the city. In addition, the property is located within the Inner City Revitalization/Infill Policy area. Staff recommends the proposed Ackard Place right-of-way be closed an no cost to Bexar County.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to approve this request; however, if not approved, the unimproved public right-of-way will separate the Library from the parking lot providing less continuity on the Library Campus and the county will have less control over pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the campus.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fair market value of the property is $92,000.00 based on an independent appraisal completed by Eckmann Groll, Inc. This request was initiated under Chapter 37, Municipal Code which allowed for the fee to be waived since the right-of-way was originally granted by plat at no cost to the city. In addition, the property is located within the Inner City Revitalization/Infill Policy area. Staff recommends the proposed Ackard Place right-of-way be closed at no cost to Bexar County.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning Commission approved this request at its regular meeting on September 11, 2013. Staff recommends approval of this request to close, vacate and abandon a 0.9183 acre unimproved public right-of-way located between NCB 9457 and NCB 9456 in Council District 3 as requested by Bexar County.