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neighboring property owners, to ensure compliance with city ordinance which requires all driveways to be <br />located at least five feet from a property line. <br /> <br />Changes to Property Values and Taxes <br />The Sherburne County Assessor’s office estimates that by adding half of the existing right-of-way to each <br />of the neighboring parcels, the property values of the two parcels would increase by $18,000 (Dargis) and <br />$7,800 (Burgoyne) for a total of $25,800. This would increase the total tax base by $452 per year. The <br />city’s portion of that would be approximately $150 per year. Staff does not believe that this is sufficient <br />to offset potential property acquisition costs along the south side of the lake if a need for access were <br />identified in the future. <br /> <br />If the right-of-way were vacated and the property lines were subsequently adjusted to add the entire <br />vacated right-of-way to the property at 1946 Main Street, the property value of 1946 Main Street would <br />increase from $277,100 to $302,600. The property is currently on the market for $449,900. <br /> <br />Boat Landing <br />There were a number of comments made during the public hearing opposing the use of the York Street <br />right-of-way property as a boat landing. The request before the City Council is a street vacation and <br />elimination of a public right-of-way. Re-establishment of a boat landing has not been recommended by <br />staff, nor was it a request by the applicant. The property had been used as a boat landing until Council <br />action closed it in 1976. The Council stated they are opposed to a boat landing at this location. <br /> <br />Previous Discussions and Staff Review Time <br />Comments made during the public hearing, a letter to the editor from the applicant’s real estate agent, <br />and submitted correspondence from the applicant’s attorney discuss wasted tax dollars and the <br />tremendous time expended by city staff, the city attorney, and the City Council for hearings on this <br />vacation matter. Specifically, correspondence from the applicant’s attorney states, “15 City Council <br />hearings since July 15, 1974.” <br /> <br />Per documentation submitted by the applicant's attorney, the subject property has been reviewed for a <br />street vacation in the past, most recently as 2006. Most of the discussion from the 1970’s was in regard to <br />closing the boat landing on the property. The boat landing issue was resolved in 1976, and without <br />Council direction, will not be recommended in the future. The following spreadsheet outlines the <br />Council minutes submitted with the application. <br /> <br />Date of City Council <br />Topic of Discussion <br />Meeting <br />May 21, 1973 Walnut Street (now Xenia Avenue) - not subject property <br />July 15, 1974 Boat launch area discussed <br />September 3, 1974 Boat landing discussed <br />November 4, 1974 Beautification on city property - not subject property <br />Request made to vacate York Avenue - location of boat <br />June 2, 1975 <br />launch. Public hearing set for July 7, 1975. <br />York Avenue vacation discussed - hearing continued to <br />July 7, 1975 <br />August 18, 1975 <br />