Giving it Away
I wanted to speak at the city council meeting this past Thursday night but I arrived too late to put my name on the sign-up sheet. My bad. I feel what I have to say is important so I am writing today hoping this will find its way to my fellow citizens here in Georgetown. While at the meeting, I learned about electric bills in the city, doubling and tripling and how devastating it is for people on fixed income. I think these people will be very interested to hear what I have to say.
The item on the agenda I wanted to speak about was the granting of easements on Cannon Street. Here is an overview:
The Right of Way for the section of Cannon St. in question is 75 feet wide. A typical right of way includes a paved area in the center and room on either side for the installation of utilities. The problem with this end of Cannon St is the historical house on the right (west) side at some point in time built a porch, brick walls and brick walkways in the right of way. On the left (east) side is the Red Brick Warehouse developers have bought and want to convert into residential units. The existing Right of Way goes right up to the edge of the warehouse so there is no room for a stoop and stairs.
The city’s solution was to grant easements on both sides to fix the problem. By doing this, the Right of Way that is still accessible is less than 25 feet. This will then allow the developers to build underneath the existing power lines, which is illegal in most jurisdictions.
My solution, based upon current city regulations, would be to reduce the right of way to 40’ which is allowed for a short dead-end street. (Land Development Regulations, 401.4 Street Widths). The 40 feet would start at the edge of the brick work for the historical house and go across. This would leave the developers over 9’ of space to build stoops and stairs. The developers would be required to remove the utility poles and place the new electric and communication lines underground in the new right of way.
As a result, the city could assess the value of the land and sell it at fair market value to the developers.
With this solution the city would still have a legal Right of Way and all parties would win including the citizens. With the city’s solution the developers are the only winners and they win big!
My question is… how can the city cry poor and raise utility rates on it’s citizens greatly impacting people that can least afford it, while at the same time give away valuable property to the people that can afford it?
If you agree that my solution is a better, fairer solution, please join me and others at www.Keepgeorgetowngtown.com. We have been fighting the city to level the playing field for all its citizens but we are losing and need your help. Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Planning Commission is ready to pass the new 2040 Comprehensive Plan which does everything for the developers and little to nothing for you. This plan needs to be stopped now before it is too late. Join us in urging the planning commission to not pass the plan and send it back to the citizens so we can create a plan that is fair to all.
Jay Doyle
