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________________________________________ 3. Background Aldine Street right-of-way is an unimproved right-of-way that extends from Ryan Avenue W to Roselawn Avenue W. The right-of-way was initially identified for vacation by the City on April 11, 2022, as there are no plans to construct a road through the area. Additionally, the 2021 Pathway Master Plan had not identified this corridor as a pathway connection as both Fairview Avenue and Snelling Drive have existing north-south pathways that meet the goals and intent of the plan. This, along with numerous other rights-of-way identified by staff as no longer necessary for public benefit were brought before the Council over five (5) phases since 2022, with a sixth and final phase still planned to be presented to Council at a future date. The Aldine Street corridor, presented for vacation with the fifth phase of vacations on April 21, 2025, is generally wooded and features a well-worn path, used by local residents for walking, but not officially designated or maintained as a public pathway. During the public hearing regarding the Aldine Street vacation, residents expressed concerns about the loss of this informal pathway and requested that portions of the right-of-way be preserved as a pathway easement. While some residents support the idea of keeping the right-of-way intact and converting it to an improved pathway (concrete or bituminous), others unpaved, while others, particularly those with properties abutting the proposed vacation area, expressed opposition to any public access, preferring to retain the property rights that would be granted if the right-of-way was vacated. As a result of these differing viewpoints, the City Council tabled the resolution to vacate the right-of-way and directed staff to prepare this feasibility memo. ________________________________________ 4. Right-of-Way Overview and Constraints The Aldine Street right-of-way corridor extends approximately 590 feet in a northsouth alignment between Ryan Avenue W and Roselawn Avenue W. The corridor lies between 1705 Roselawn Avenue W, 1706 Ryan Avenue W, and the rear lots of 77, 85, 87, 89, 91, and 93 Mid Oaks Lane. Historically, the corridor has remained unimproved and is primarily wooded, with a well-worn informal footpath that has developed over time through use. Initially, the right-of-way was understood to include a 30-foot easterly portion, dedicated through the Mid Oaks plat in 1938, and a 20-foot westerly portion that appeared to have been established through condemnation proceedings in 1951. Because there was no clear record of the condemnation being formally recorded, the proposed vacation resolution presented to the City Council included language to vacate the 20-foot westerly portion out of an abundance of caution, essentially functioning as a quit-claim action to release any potential interest the City may have had. Following the public hearing, further investigation was conducted by staff and the adjacent property owners in coordination with the Ramsey right-of-way or easement over the western 20 feet was ever recorded, and as such, the City does not legally hold right-of-way over that portion of land and it is considered private property. Consequently, only the 30-foot easterly portion of the corridor is public right-of-way. County/City GIS data has been updated to reflect this clarified status. !Qbhf!3! Qbhf!54!pg!464