The City-owned parcel was declared surplus and available for sale to the adjoining property owner during the February 13, 2020, City Council Meeting. The approved sale price was the 2019 Chatham County Board of Assessors 2019 assessed market value of $4,800. The property is only 10’ wide and adjoins a road on one side and a house on the other side. The owner of the house has petitioned to acquire this narrow strip of property.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 36-37-6, the governing authority of any municipal corporation is authorized to sell and convey parcels of narrow strips of land, so shaped or so small as to be incapable of being used independently as zoned or under applicable subdivision or other development ordinances, or as streets, whether owned in fee or used by easement, to abutting property owners where such sales and conveyances facilitate the enjoyment of the highest and best use of the abutting owner's property without first submitting the sale or conveyance to the process of an auction or the solicitation of sealed bids; provided, however, that each abutting property owner shall be notified of the availability of the property and shall have the opportunity to purchase said property under such terms and conditions as set out by ordinance.

As a matter of practice, staff recommends selling narrow strips of property (be it former right-of-way or remnant parcels) at 50% of value to facilitate assemblage to highest and best use. Therefore, staff recommends this narrow strip of land be sold to the adjoining homeowner at a price of $2,400 for assemblage to facilitate highest and best use.

Further request authorization for the City Manager to execute a quitclaim deed and any associated closing documents.

Approval