PRESCOTT – The City of Prescott is moving ahead with a certified survey map for a city-owned property at the end of Jewel Street, a step that could eventually allow the approximately 1.2-acre parcel to be put up for sale.

City Administrator Matt Wolf told the Planning Commission that the city was approached last year by a potential buyer interested in the property. The city subsequently had the parcel appraised, with the appraisal placing its value at $102,000.

The city has discussed using proceeds from a potential sale to help extend Jewel Street and improve access to the property and an adjacent lot.

“The idea was that if we were to sell this piece of land, we would extend the street using those funds as part of the sale,” Wolf said.

The proposed improvements would extend Jewel Street approximately 100 feet beyond its current right-of-way. The city currently owns the lot, but the existing right-of-way ends where the asphalt ends, with the school district owning the property beyond that point.

Wolf said the school district has agreed in principle to dedicate approximately 100 feet for the street extension.

The proposed survey would also establish a 12-foot trail right-of-way between the city-owned property and another northern lot, potentially creating a future trail connection to nearby baseball fields.

Before spending money on a full survey and certified survey map, city staff asked the Planning Commission to conduct a preliminary review.

If the survey proceeds and the property is eventually sold, the city and school district would share proceeds under the proposal discussed by the commission. Wolf explained that the discussions have been that the school district could potentially receive 10% of the sale price in exchange for the right-of-way.

At the $102,000 appraised value, that would amount to $10,200 for the school district, with the remainder potentially available for street improvements.

“That’s enough to extend the street?” Commission member Josh Gergen questioned whether the sale would generate enough money to cover the cost of extending the road and installing related infrastructure.

Water and sewer connections remain among the issues that need further study. Wolf also said the city would need to determine how storm sewer, curb and gutter improvements would be handled, potentially including a special assessment.

The steep terrain of the property was another concern raised during the discussion.

Because of the elevation, staff estimated that only about 40% of the lot could realistically be developed. Commissioners noted that the property drops significantly toward the east.

“It drops way off over there,” Commission member Joel Reis commented.

The property is zoned R1. Although its size could suggest the possibility of several homes, Wolf said the terrain would make development of more than one home impractical.

Commissioners also discussed whether the proposed sale would be financially responsible if the cost of extending the road and providing infrastructure exceeded the sale price.

Wolf said the long-term financial benefit could also include property taxes generated if a home is constructed on the property.

During the discussion, nearby resident Maria Rice spoke in support of the proposal. Rice said she has lived on Jewel Street for more than 30 years, at the end of the existing street.

“Hi, I'm Maria Rice, and I live at 1855 Jewel St., right at the end of the street. And the street stops right before our driveway,” Rice said.

She said property owners in the area have contributed significant tax revenue over the years and that a new development could help offset the cost of extending the road.

“I can safely share that we pay over $7,500 a year in taxes, so I think you make it up pretty quickly,” Rice said.

The proposed project would not create a cul-de-sac. Wolf said the city does not currently have the right-of-way needed for a turnaround and that constructing one would add substantially to the cost.

Instead, the road would continue approximately 100 feet and end with asphalt, curb and gutter rather than the existing gravel surface.

“It just would dead end in a way that it's going to be asphalt and curb and gutter ending there rather than gravel,” Wolf said.

He also said the city could potentially add riprap to address runoff in the area.

After discussion, the Planning Commission voted to proceed with the certified survey map. Reis said he had an interest in the matter and abstained from the vote. The survey will be completed before the proposal returns to the commission for further consideration. The property is not currently tied to an active buyer. Wolf noted that the prospective buyer who originally approached the city decided not to proceed after learning the appraised value.

Due to Labor Day, the next Prescott Plan Commission meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 8.