A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN OF PINEBLUFF TO CONVEY TO ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS INTERNAL CENTER COURTS and alleys AT PRIVATE NEGOTIATED SALE.
Whereas, the Town of Pinebluff was originally developed by a private corporation and was platted in blocks, with each block containing approximately 24 lots; and
Whereas, in the center of each block there was a center court reserved by the company, as well as four alleys which have never been opened; and
Whereas, the Town was subsequently incorporated but there is no evidence of a master conveyance or offer of dedication by the company to the Town of the alleys and center courts; and
Whereas, the Town basically assumed responsibility for the center courts and alleys, and several years ago began a policy of conveying the center courts by quitclaim deed to adjacent property owners for $1.00 per one‑eighth section of center court; and
Whereas, each one‑eighth platted "slice" of the center court abuts but one of the 24 lots; and the Town’s policy allowed the adjacent property owner to purchase the slice; and
Whereas, as stand‑alone lots, each slice of the center court is unusable due to size, an entire center court cannot be developed as a separate lot due to size, access, and other issues, and only adjacent property owners would have any use for the property; and
Whereas, there has been concern about the proper statutory method for conveying any or all of the Town's interest in the center courts, and the Town desires to continue conveying property to the adjacent property owners and to have the past policy validated; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that:
(1)	The Town of Pinebluff was originally developed by a private corporation and was platted in blocks, with each block containing approximately 24 lots.
(2)	In the center of each block there was a center court reserved by the company, as well as four alleys which have never been opened.
(3)	The Town was subsequently incorporated but there is no evidence of a master conveyance or offer of dedication by the company to the Town of the alleys and center courts; and
(4)	The Town basically assumed responsibility for the center courts and alleys, and several years ago began a policy of conveying the center courts by quitclaim deed to adjacent property owners for $1.00 per one‑eighth section of center court.
(5)	Each one‑eighth platted "slice" of the center court abuts but one of the 24 lots; and the Town’s policy allowed the adjacent property owner to purchase the slice.
(6)	As stand‑alone lots, each slice of the center court is unusable due to size, an entire center court cannot be developed as a separate lot due to size, access, and other issues, and only adjacent property owners would have any use for the property.
(7)	There has been concern about the proper statutory method for conveying any or all of the Town's interest in the center courts and alleys, and the Town desires to continue conveying property to the adjacent property owners and to have the past policy validated.
SECTION 2.  Notwithstanding Article 12 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes, the Town of Pinebluff may convey at private negotiated sale to the adjacent property owner any or all of its interest in a portion of the center court and any adjacent unopened alley, whether by quitclaim or otherwise. Any such conveyances prior to the date this act becomes effective are confirmed and validated.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.