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[LR,J <br />721 <br />Mr. Culver responded that this was more of a Community Development <br />722 <br />Department or Planning Department discussion. While recognizing the point <br />723 <br />about arbitrary rights-of-way widths and how they're applied or their results, Mr. <br />724 <br />Culver advised that his question was whether in practice the right-of-way width of <br />725 <br />those properties used as examples tonight prevented the City or County from <br />726 <br />operating and maintaining the roadway. Mr. Culver noted that there may be cases <br />727 <br />where a new utility or sidewalk was needed, and the right-of-way width may limit <br />728 <br />those needs, or more width may be required to install something. <br />729 <br />IAL <br />730 <br />Member Seigler recognized that there were limits as to what a private property <br />731 <br />owner could put inside that box, or limiting green space versus not allowing <br />732 <br />construction. Mr. Seigler also recognized that the City may be wary of giving up <br />733 <br />control of those areas; however, he reiterated that after 65 years, when nothing <br />734 <br />was yet installed there, the City needed to determine what it preferred: to allow <br />735 <br />more construction or to increase home sizes. <br />736 <br />737 Member Cihacek concurred that this appeared to have more of a planning area of <br />738 emphasis. <br />739 <br />740 Mr. Culver stated that, if came down to if Nweftoallow residents to add value <br />741 to their homes on small lots, and what should be considered a valid variance <br />742 request. For example, Mr. Culver noted a smaller lot could add a patio or <br />743 sunroom addition in the backyard, or other minor options. However, Mr. Culver <br />744 noted that from staff's perspective it was easier to have something in code <br />745 speaking to those issues versus allowing variance applications on a whim or at the <br />746 leading of changing City Councils or Planning Commissions in any given year. <br />747 Mr. Culver opined that the consequences of that may present other issues in other <br />748 part of the community. Mr. Culver concurred that this warranted additional <br />749 iscussion at the Planning Commission level; and noted there were various <br />750 considerations as to if and when a right-of-way or easement was vacated and <br />751 returned to a parcel. From his perspective, Mr. Culver advised that he couldn't <br />752 always recommend such a move as being in the best long-term interest of the <br />753 City. <br />754 <br />755 Member Cihacek opined that it goes to the fact that some of those lines appear <br />756 arbitrary or conditions may have changed; and in some instances, it may require a <br />757 new determination under current development trends. Member Cihacek noted <br />758 that it would mean increased taxable property if the City gave some of that land <br />759 back. However, Member Cihacek opined that the PWEC needed advice from the <br />760 planning level to develop a policy in relationship to when rights-of-way remained <br />761 important. <br />762 <br />763 Mr. Schwartz advised that staff could discuss this with the Community <br />764 Development Department and bring their viewpoint back to the PWETC for <br />765 additional discussion. Mr. Schwartz noted that rights-of-way were a huge <br />Page 17 of 19 <br />