2002-02 VACATING RIGHT OF WAY - 200 BLOCK WEST NORTH STREET

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• r Cal. No. 01-46 Petition of FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 201 West North Street, to vacation a 17' by 155' portion of the south half of the West North Street right-of way, in the 200 block, adjacent to Lots 1, 22, 23 and 24 in Block 7 of William Bandy's Addition. Ms. Miller presented the recommendation of staff: The petitioner wishes to vacate a portion of West North Street to construct a covered drop-off area and expand the church to include an accessible entry. A portion of North Union Street west of the site was previously vacated. The staff has worked with the petitioner to vacate only the necessary portion of the street. The current street alignment will remain in place. The portion of the right of way to be vacated has been reduced from the original submitted request. An appraisal for the proposed street vacation was submitted by the petitioner with an estimated market value of$14,000 or $0.85 per square foot. The City obtained an appraisal for $11,000 or $0.66 per square foot. Since the original appraisal, the area to be vacated is reduced to 2635 square feet. The petitioner will pay the City of Decatur $2300 ($0.85 per square foot)for the vacation. First United Methodist Church and the Masonic Temple owns the property on south and north sides of the portion of the 200 Block of North Street to be vacated. A consent letter was received from the Masonic Temple agreeing to the vacation and purchase by the First United Methodist Church. Utility letters have been received from Illinois Power,Ameritech and Insight Communications stating agreement with the vacation and requesting that ingress and egress easements be reserved for utility maintenance. The public right of way does not appear necessary to serve the general public. Staff is of the opinion that the best interests of the City of Decatur would be served by approving the right of way vacation request. Staff recommends approval of the petition. Mr. Erwin Arends, Trustee of First United Methodist Church, was present and spoke for the petition stating that he had worked closely with Ms. Miller on the petition. The Commission had a reduced copy of the plan which shows new curbing to the west where there is access to the Masonic Temple. Then there would be a curb to the east. Parking would be removed on North Street in front of the church. Ms. Miller stated that the street alignment remains the same and will match up with the street across the intersection. There will still be two lanes of traffic. Mr. Arends stated that one reason is for safety as the day care has 80 to 100 kids which will be in a drive through situation rather than being in the street. There were no objectors present.