City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: APRIL 16, 2024
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER /s/
FROM: JAMES SPENGLER, DIRECTOR
RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL ACTIVITES
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Consideration of Petition for Special Commissioner and Acceptance of a Parcel at 129 S. Gordon Street.
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ISSUE: Should the City Council initiate a petition to Circuit Court to consider the transfer of a Parcel at 129 S. Gordon Street to the City?
RECOMMENDATIONS: That City Council:
1. Authorize the City Manager to approve the initiation of the action under VA Code ? 58.1-3970.1 to appoint a special commissioner for a transfer of 129 S. Gordon Street to the City in lieu of a tax sale; and
2. Approve and accept the real property at 129 S. Gordon Street, contingent upon a successful action under VA Code ? 58.1-3970.1.
BACKGROUND: City Staff received a letter from current owners of the parcel at 129 S. Gordon Street seeking to donate their ownership stake in the property to the City (Attachment 1). The property owners, who do not live at the property and are not residents of Alexandria, had received a delinquent real estate tax notice for the property from the City, and upon this notice, decided it would be preferable to donate their share to the City. These owners had no knowledge of their ownership interest in the property, as it had been inherited from prior owners unbeknownst to them.
The property at 129 S. Gordon Street is a long, thin parcel, covering 0.93 acres. The parcel is a split-zoned parcel, being designated both Parks and Open Space and Residential (R2-5, as marked in Attachment 3). It is adjacent to Tarleton Park, as well as a dog park. Additionally, 129 S. Gordon Street has an existing easement granted to the City extending over the entirety of the property, creating a walking trail from Gordon Street...
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