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I I I I . Community Development Director Nelson said the staff recommendation to abandon ---. only a 13' strip of Beech Street, rather than the whole street at one time, was a slight alteration ITom the City's general policy of abandoning streets. Director Nelson used overheads and pictures to illustrate the area and impacts. She stated there were three users of the street, the applicant at 426 Hilton, the adjoining properties on Beech Street and Stambaugh. Director Nelson briefly described past attempts to reach agreement regarding Beech Street abandonment. Beech Street, a stub street, southwesterly side of Hilton Street, is a substandard street and the City has no plans for improvement. The properties at 427 Stambaugh and 636- 648 Beech Street utilize the street for access to rental units, and abandonment of 13 feet of the 60 foot right-of-way of Beech Street would not affect that access. Director Nelson said the Council Streets Committee suggested that the full Council consider the applicants' request for only a 13' abandonment. A letter to the Council last week ITom the applicants' requested: 1) that the Council indicate in the Conditions of Approval that the abandonment is for curb, gutter and sidewalk; and 2) clarity on Condition E, to consider their property as an interior lot, rather than a corner lot, which would affect the height of the fence they are planning to build. 2) Open public hearing; '--- Mayor Hartnett opened the public hearing at 8:39 p.m. 3) Hear public comment; Mayor Hartnett called upon the applicants and others who wished to address this Issue. Ralph Lentz, 426 Hilton, applicant, thanked the Council for this hearing, stated they had lived at 426 Hilton for six years, and had made the initial request for abandonment at that time. Mr. Lentz described the improvements they had done over the years, especially the garden, and renewed his commitment to beautifYing the neighborhood. In response to Council questions, Director Nelson said there was no intention to build a sidewalk on Beech Street and it would look very much like somebody's side yard. The property now at 51' X 100' would become 63' X 100'. Also, staff was recommending this lot be considered an interior lot because a house that faces two streets is typically considered a corner lot, and requirements for fencing are different for interior lots; and by adding the wording "site distance only applies at Hilton", Beech Street would not be considered a street for fencing purposes. Council agreed to add the suggested wording. '--- MINUTE BOOK NO. 54 Regular Meeting Minutes Page No. 075 February 12, 1996 Page 8