An undeveloped laneway that city council closed in April will now become the property of the two property owners who live adjacent to the path.
Council legally closed the lane on the 1000 block of Fourth Avenue Northwest on April 12 since it was not required to transport vehicles, nor was it ever used as an alley. The adjacent owners of 1018 and 1024 Fourth Avenue Northwest recently asked city hall to subdivide the lane so they could each purchase a portion for additional space; they had already used the path as yard space for decades.
During the May 25 regular meeting, council voted unanimously to approve the subdivision application subject to the new parcels being consolidated with the adjacent residential properties.
The area of Fourth Avenue Northwest is zoned R1 large-lot low-density residential district and is primarily occupied by one-unit dwellings, a council report explained. The lane will be split and consolidated with the adjacent residential properties; the proposed subdivision is exempt from the provision of dedicated lands under a section in the Planning and Development Act.
City services are available along Fourth Avenue Northwest but are not required for the proposed yard space. Meanwhile, the relevant utility companies have been sent the proposed subdivision for review as per the act, the report added. The property owners have signed a utility declaration form that grants any easements for utilities that may exist.
The owners will cost-share all fees with the application, including the purchase price of $1,904.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, June 14.
