By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
After construction of the first traffic roundabout in Hays — a double "peanut" at 32nd and 33rd Street intersections on north Vine Street — portions of the west frontage street were removed, creating excess right of way.
Adjacent property owners Hays Chevrolet, 2917 Vine, and Pheasant Run restaurant, 3201 Vine, have petitioned the city to vacate the remnant right of way north and south of 32nd Street.
The business owners' petitions reserve existing utility easements to the city and public, according to John Braun, Hays project manager.
"The owners of Pheasant Run have petitioned for 2,237 square feet of excess right of way, where their parking lot was adjusted utilizing space that was once the frontage road to compensate for parking they lost adjacent to 32nd Street during construction of the roundabout," Braun said.
Hays Chevrolet owners have petitioned for 5,889 square feet of excess right of way where the frontage road was removed.
"This helps compensate for the widening of 32nd Street at the approach to the roundabout," he said.
Both areas are in "final form."
"With Pheasant Run, it's basically done. The parking lot actually extends out onto that.
"With Hays Chevrolet, should they desire to make any adjustments to their configuration, they would be able to build a parking lot or access. Obviously, reserving the utility easements that are there would encumber the property from inhibiting access to utilities," Braun added. "They would be limited to what they could do with it."
Public hearings for both petitions will be held during Thursday's city commission meeting followed by approval of ordinances to vacate the right of ways.
The city attorney's office was involved in the process details and preparing the legal documents.
The action would have no financial impact to the city.
The properties — behind the sidewalks — would become that of the business owners and be back on the Ellis County property tax rolls.
"We're only vacating property that is now Pheasant Run parking lot or grass out in front of Hays Chevrolet," Braun said.
Commissioners will also consider awarding the low bid of $1.5 million to Mid-America Sports Construction, Lee's Summit, Missouri for artificial turf in the eight baseball/softball fields at Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex.
The complete May 13 agenda is available here.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.