Disposition Summary

Approve the request to close Richards Street from the southeast side of May Avenue to W Fifth Avenue since closure would not adversely affect surrounding properties, subject to three conditions.

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Staff Recommendation

Approve the request to close Richards Street from the southeast side of May Avenue to W Fifth Avenue since closure would not adversely affect surrounding properties, subject to three conditions.

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1. A final plat combining these properties must be recorded before the closure can become effective. If a final plat is not recorded, the closure shall become null and void and of no effect.
2. Renaming of one of the remaining sections of Richards Street to a new name consistent with the Addressing Guidelines and Procedures.
3. Any easements for the City and KUB shall remain in place as requested.

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1. This request is to close Richards Street from the southeast side of May Avenue to W Fifth Avenue. It is part of a series of rights-of-way requested to be closed this month. The applicant owns all of the property in this area (bounded by Marion Street and Second Creek to the east and west, and by May Avenue and W Fifth Avenue to the north and south). They would like to consolidate the property into a single development. To do so, they need to acquire ownership of the rights-of-way of the requested closures (Cases 2-A-24-AC, 2-A-24-SC, 2-B-24-SC, and 2-C-24-SC).
2. Closing this section of Richards Street will result in two noncontiguous sections of street with that name. Per Section 6 of the Addressing Guidelines and Procedures, duplication of street names is not permitted. Therefore, either remaining segment of Richards Street (lying north or south of the requested closure) will need to be renamed. Planning recommends renaming the northern portion since the properties are vacant and the owners would not be adversely effected by the change of address. The applicant will need to work with The Addressing Department to rename that section of street.
3. The applicant is working with the City of Knoxville and TDOT to consolidate the properties for future development.
4. Planning supports the closure request, but recommends a condition that a final plat be recorded before closure is officially complete. This protects access for the parcels within the area described above should the property not get combined and the project not get completed. Since the property is over 5 acres in size, it would be platted as an exempt plat and would not be required to come through Planning staff for review.
5. Planning has received the following comments from other departments and agencies:
a. City Engineering: 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.
B. KUB: We have reviewed our records and find that we have existing utility facilities located within the
subject right-of-way. The approximate locations of these facilities are indicated on the enclosed prints.
However, KUB does not release and hereby retains all easements and rights for existing utility facilities,
whether or not shown on these prints. Should this right-of-way be closed, KUB will require the following
permanent easements for its utility facilities.
- Electric: 10 feet on each side of the centerline of the electric line, 20 feet total width
- Gas: 7.5 feet on each side of the centerline of the gas line, 15 feet total width
- Sewer: 7.5 feet on each side of the centerline of the sewer line, 15 feet total width
6. The Fire Department and TDOT had no comments.