2017.08.28 Council Agenda Item 12

Summary

Order to authorize the Town Manager to execute such documents and to take all such further actions as may be reasonably necessary to close on the acquisition of property located on Route One, being approximately 50’ wide and located in the same location as a portion of an existing Portland Water District easement.

A public comment period will be included with this item (3 minutes).

ACTION: Council action is anticipated.

Description

BACKGROUND - Earlier this year, the owner of Foreside Estates (Princeton Properties) indicated interest in developing additional housing units on its property that is accessed from Clearwater Drive. The Community Development Committee, in reviewing a contract zone application for that site, recommended the construction of a new road between Route One and Clearwater Drive in order to provide alternative access from Foreside Estates to Route One. Foreside Estates currently has just one access point to Route One. An adjacent 50 foot wide water line right of way (ROW) could be used for this new road. Staff researched the ownership rights of this ROW and Stantec conducted an engineering feasibility study for the Town, looking at whether permits could be obtained and provided an opinion of cost to build the road. The results of that study are attached. Loran Properties controlled the underlying fee ownership for the area closest to Route One. On February 13, 2017, the Council authorized the Town Manager to sign an option agreement to acquire the property from Loran for $20,000. The owner of Foreside Estates has since decided not to proceed with the development project.

RECOMMENDATION - While the February 13, 2017, Council agenda stated that the option agreement will only be exercised if a contract zone is agreed upon by Princeton Properties and the Town, the Town Manager recommends proceeding with the acquisition of this parcel in order to preserve future road access opportunities.

LINK - February 13, 2017 Council agenda item

ATTACHMENTS