Nicky Boyette – At the April 19 Parks meeting, Parks chair Bill Featherstone again presented Jim Girkin’s request for vacation of Hickory Street, a platted but unopened street that runs through property Girkin owns. Girkin intends to unify contiguous properties so he can sell them. Girkin had originally asked for a vacation of a portion of Hazel Street, but after considerable legwork investigating his request, he withdrew that part of his application.
Featherstone noted that a small portion on the southernmost edge of Girkin’s lots could be used to connect parts of the proposed urban trail loop. It’s a steep hillside, and Featherstone described using a switchback trail design to get down the grade. Girkin agreed to transfer his portion of that lot to the city in return for approval of the rest of this plan. Featherstone was very careful to ensure commissioners knew exactly what they would be vacating, and they ultimately voted unanimously to approve what Featherstone called “a reasonable compromise.”
Their decision will be passed along to the Planning Commission for consideration.