proposed for closure has been identified by Administration as an open portion of the Sixth Street right-of-way.
The east/west alley and the portion of the Sixth Street right-of-way appears to be untraveled and is comprised of grass. There are no utilities nor municipal infrastructure located in the alley. There appear to be encroachments from 2158, 2164 and 2170 Amy Lynn Park Drive within the proposed closure.
The applicants want the alley and right-of-way closed to increase their lot sizes and are requesting the full width of the alley and right-of-way.
The properties on the north side of the proposed alley closure are part of the City of Windsor’s Spring Garden Natural Area / Park.
Discussion:
Planning Department’s analysis of the requested alley closures:
The first test is to determine whether the subject alley and right-of-way is dispensable. To make such determination the guideline attached herein as Appendix “E” would be relevant as shown below:
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Does the subject alley serve commercial properties?
The answer is NO.
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Does the subject alley serve properties fronting on heavily traveled streets i.e. major arterial routes?
The answer is NO.
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Does the subject alley contain sewers, and must the alley remain accessible for servicing?
The answer is NO.
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Does the subject alley serve as the only vehicular means of access to rear parking areas and garages where the property has insufficient lot width for a side drive?
The answer is NO.
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Does the subject alley contain Fire Department connections that are deemed to be necessary for firefighting access?
The answer is NO.
Based on the above, the Planning Division deems the subject east/west alley and the portion of the “dispensable” and supports the requested closure.
A site visit on June 16, 2020 identified that the alley and right-of-way is difficult to access from the closest trail in Spring Garden Park due to dense vegetation. It appears