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CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE O-1415-32 UPON SECOND AND FINAL READING: AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, CLOSING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY KNOWN AS 60TH AVENUE N.W. LOCATED BETWEEN WEST MAIN STREET AND WEST ROBINSON STREET IN NORMAN, CLEVELAND COUNTY, OKLAHOMA; AND PROVIDING FOR THE SEVERABILITY THEREOF.
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BACKGROUND: Statutory rights-of-way were established in Oklahoma with section lines as a grid system. Within Cleveland County a total of sixty-six feet (66') of total statutory rights-of-way were assigned for section line roads with thirty-three feet (33') on each side of the Section Line. There are a few occasions where section line roads were never constructed within the rights-of-way. That is the case on 60th Avenue NW between Robinson Street and Main Street. The adjacent property owners desire to vacate the right-of-way to properly secure the area and eliminate illegal dumping within the existing-rights-of-way. Planning Commission, at its meeting of February 12, 2015, recommended approval of Ordinance O-1415-32.
DISCUSSION: The rights-of-way being requested for closure are the west and east sides of 60th Avenue N.W. between West Robinson Street and Main Street as shown on the attached map. The rights-of-way would have been for the north-south alignment of an extension of 60th Avenue N.W. This road section does not exist and no road connections would be served by this road section. There are no short or long term plans to construct this road section.
All of the franchised utilities were notified to assess the impact on their facilities if the rights-of-way were closed. Staff has received no objections from O.E.C., OG&E, and Oklahoma Natural Gas Company. The rest of the utility companies have not responded. There are no City owned utilities located within the proposed closed rights-of-way. Also, City Council approved Resolution R-0405-64 at its meeting of January 25, 2005 declaring 60th Avenue West south of West Robinson Street to the City Limits as closed for the granting of building permits for properties fronting 60th Avenue N.W. based on the fact the road has never been constructed to a City standard or maintained by the City of Norman. In addition, a large percentage of the properties fronting 60th Avenue N.W. are located in the Flood Plain. City staff is not opposed to the closure of the statutory rights-of-way as long as the utility companies (if located in the rights-of-way) are satisfied before any vacation of the statutory rights-of-way commences.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of Ordinance O-1415-32.