Disposition Summary

Approve the request to close the unnamed street between the northwest and northeast corners of parcel 094HJ002, subject to retaining all easements and one condition, since closure would not adversely affect surrounding properties.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the request to close the unnamed street between the northwest and northeast corners of parcel 094HJ002, subject to retaining all easements and one condition, since closure would not adversely affect surrounding properties.

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1) Maintain an easement boundary along the KUB water line utility in the right-of-way as follows: 10 ft on the north side of the centerline of the water line and 15 ft on the south side of the centerline of the water line, for a total width of 25 ft.

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1. This request is to close an unimproved and unnamed right-of-way between the northwest and northeast corners of parcel 094HJ002. The right-of-way lies from the eastern bend of Richmond Avenue just to the east of its intersection with Joseph Schofield Street. Closing this right-of-way would not negatively impact surrounding properties, as all surrounding parcels have access to the street on which they are addressed. The applicant owns all property abutting the subject right-of-way.
2. The City Engineering Department had these comments:
The City Engineering Department has no objections to close the above-described right-of-way area. However, should this right-of-way be closed, the City will reserve easements for all drainage facilities and utilities, if there are any current facilities, located in or within five (5) feet of the property described herein. No easements are reserved if there are no current facilities within the closure area. If any existing facilities or utilities are found not feasible to the site development or use, they may be removed and relocated, subject to City Engineering and/or other applicable easement holder review and approval.
3. KUB initially opposed the closure, but came to an agreement with the applicant and revised their comment as follows:
Regarding the right-of-way closure application #11-A-23-SC that was sent to KUB for comment on 9/27/2023, KUB provided an opposition letter dated 10/10/2023 due to existing water utilities present in the right-of-way. I wanted to reach out to your office to provide an update on the matter:
The applicant has contacted KUB and worked with us on the utility concerns and easement needs to ensure the safety, accessibility, and future replacement of our water utilities. Therefore, KUB is acceptable to the right-of-way closure, provided that the following permanent easements are provided for its utilities.
Water -- 10 feet on the north side of the centerline of the water line, 15 feet on the south side of the centerline of the water line, 25 feet in total width.
4. The following departments had no objections to the requested closure:
i. The City of Knoxville Fire Department
ii: AT&T
iii: Tennessee Department of Transportation