A. Power To Vacate: When, in the judgment of the council, it would be in the best interest of the city to vacate a street, alley, portion thereof or any public grounds, the council may do so by ordinance in accordance with the provisions of this section. (2000 Code § 137.01)
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.12[2a])
B. Planning And Zoning Commission: Any proposal to vacate a street, alley, portion thereof or any public grounds shall be referred by the council to the planning and zoning commission for its study and recommendation prior to further consideration by the council. The commission shall submit a written report including recommendations to the council within thirty (30) days after the date the proposed vacation is referred to the commission. (2000 Code § 137.02)
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 392.1)
C. Notice Of Vacation Hearing: The council shall cause to be published a notice of public hearing of the time at which the proposal to vacate shall be considered. (2000 Code § 137.03)
D. Findings Required: No street, alley, portion thereof or any public grounds shall be vacated unless the council finds that:
1. Public Use: The street, alley, portion thereof or any public ground proposed to be vacated is not needed for the use of the public, and therefore, its maintenance at public expense is no longer justified.
2. Abutting Property: The proposed vacation will not deny owners of property abutting on the street or alley reasonable access to their property. (2000 Code § 137.04)
E. Disposal Of Vacated Streets Or Alleys: When in the judgment of the council it would be in the best interest of the city to dispose of a vacated street or alley, portion thereof or public ground, the council may do so in accordance with the provisions of section 364.7, code of Iowa. (2000 Code § 137.05)
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.7)
F. Disposal By Gift Limited: The city may not dispose of real property by gift except to a governmental body for a public purpose. (2000 Code § 137.06)
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 364.7[3])