Marshall Showalter, owner of 105 Croatan Street, has petitioned the City via Petition 190440 to declare surplus a portion of the City-owned, unopened right-of-way (ROW) on Cindy Street between Seminole Street and Harmon Canal in the Oakhurst neighborhood. The petitioner desires to beautify the area and remove any rubbish, brush, and weeds.

Georgia Code 32-7 provides authorization for municipalities to dispose of surplus right of way “which is no longer needed”. Such property is offered first to adjoining property owners. City Code 6-105 also authorizes the Mayor and Aldermen to sell surplus ROW to adjoining property owners. Initial letters of inquiry were mailed to affected property owners in late January in an effort to gauge interest and alert of the petition. No responses were received. If item is approved by Council, in accordance with Code, staff will officially notify all adjacent property owners to make offer of sale for their portion of abutting right of way.

The petition has been reviewed by Development Services, Public Works and Water Resources, Planning and Urban Design, Greenscape, and Real Estate Services. Based on feedback from internal departments, public water and sanitary sewer infrastructure exists within the subject right-of-way and proper easements will be withheld for the maintenance of these lines.

According to Chatham County Tax Assessments, the average assessed land value of the three adjacent parcels are $1.66 per square foot, equating to an estimated fee simple value of $12,106 for the approximately 7,275 square foot area of ROW. The sale of the unneeded ROW will reduce liability and maintenance costs to the City. Considering these factors, staff recommends a 50% discount to yield a total sale price of $6,053.

Further recommend authorization for the City Manager to execute any Quit Claim Deeds and associated closing documents.

Approval