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4 <br />SEP 3 4 198 E;oo� F�cr. -I <br />The applicant chose to pursue the abandonment of the alley in <br />question because abandonment of the alley would provide additional <br />distance between the existing facility and the residential <br />properties to the north. Though the site design for the church <br />expansion would still require alteration, the applicant would be <br />able to develop the site in a manner more in accordance with the <br />originally submitted design. Should the alley be abandoned, it <br />would allow the church to develop its property more in line with <br />what the petitioner desires and in conformance with current County <br />standards. <br />The 16 foot wide alley is not part of the roadway system desig- <br />nated by the County Thoroughfare Plan, and its need as such is not <br />anticipated. <br />ALTERNATIVES <br />In reviewing this petition, staff has examined several <br />alternatives to the situation. In developing these alternatives, <br />staff took into account the opinions of the surrounding property <br />owners and the situation of the petitioner. Following are a list <br />of alternatives developed: <br />1. The Commission may deny the petition. This course of action <br />would result in no change in the status of the alley, and it <br />would allow those currently utilizing it to continue. <br />However, this would result in the petitioner being forced to <br />redesign his proposed site plan, producing a design less <br />suitable to his needs. This would then leave the option for <br />the petitioner to obtain a variance from the ordinance in <br />reference to.the setback requirements. However, if it cannot <br />be shown that the applicant suffers from a hardship peculiar <br />to this property, which would deny use of the property, the <br />granting of a variance is unlikely. If a variance were not <br />granted, the remaining- recourse would be to apply for a <br />change in the ordinance dealing with the required setback. <br />2. 'The Commission may grant the request for abandonment. This <br />course of action would aid the petitioner in completing his <br />project. Those properties currently utilizing the alley for <br />access would have the option of relocating their access to <br />Seminole Street, or arranging for private access easements <br />through the former alley. The latter would cause no change <br />from the former situation except for ownership of the alley <br />property. The easement situation would, of course, be a <br />matter which the parties involved would be required to work <br />out privately. <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />Based on the analysis performed, staff recommends that the Board <br />of County Commissioners: (1) Accept option number two, granting <br />of the abandonment, and allowing the properties involved to <br />arrange for private access easements, and (2) authorize the <br />Chairman of the County Commission to execute the attached <br />Resolution (Attachment #3). <br />Chairman Scurlock noted that it appears some individuals do <br />use that alley for access and would have some problem with the <br />County giving it up. <br />Planner Nearing believed that the church would be agreeable <br />to allowing them an access easement to continue using it as they <br />have in'the past. <br />86 <br />