2001-14 VACATING RIGHT OF WAY - NORTH AND WEST OF 4275 EAST LAKE SHORE DRIVE

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� ECONOMIC AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MEMORANDUM No. 01-24 March 14, 2001 TO: Honorable Mayor Terry M. Howley and City Council Members FROM: Steve Garm � Manager A. J.Krieger s istant City Manage Steve Van Stee uyse,AICP,Planning anager Kathy J. Miller AICP,Planner k�yy.,� �,. SUBJECT: Right Of Way Vacation,4275 East Lake Shore Drive SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends approval of the right of way vacation with the utility easement noted in the ordinance. The Plan Commission reviewed the request at the March 1 meeting and recommended approval with a vote of 6 to 2. Plan Commission Minutes are attached. BACKGROUND: Spangler Heights Addition was platted in the 1920's and developed with cottages that have since been turned into homes. The areas east and south of the platted lots were designated as Community Park when the Addition was platted. In four locations adjacent to Lake Shore Drive (Spangler Drive), 15 foot right of ways were designated as access to Community Park. Community Park extends to East William Street Road. The Sanitary District has sanitary sewer lines located in the Community Park area near the lakefront. The existing right of ways are difficult to distinguish and seldom used as access to the lake front. Utility access is usually gained with permission through private property or from the lake. The Decatur Metro Area Greenway Plan includes a potential greenway/bikeway trail from Nelson Park to Faries Park. At this time there is no set route for that trail system. After consulting with the Decatur Park District and Garry Little as former Chairman of the Greenway Coalition regarding trail planning, it was determined that it would be highly unlikely that a bike trail would ever go behind the residential properties at the lake front. William Street Road has a wide right of way across Lake Decatur that could serve as a bikeway along the side of the road. The referenced right of way would not be required for trail access. Currently there is right of way access along William Street Road. The petitioner would like to vacate the right of way that cuts through his property to add a garden and to construct a retaining wall at the lake front. POTENTIAL OBJECTIONS: Not known. INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: A consent letter was received from the adjoining property owner, Mr. Thomas M. Grohne, that agrees to the vacation and the purchase by Mr. Curry. Utility letters have been received from the Sanitary District of Decatur, Insight Communications, Ameritech and Illinois Power. Illinois Power has requested that ingress and egress easements be reserved for utility mainte- nance. No city utilities are located in the referenced ROW. STAFF REFERENCES: If Council members have questions they may contact Kathy Miller at 424-2786. BUDGET/TIME IMPLICATIONS: An appraisal for the proposed right of way for vacation was submit- ted with an estimated market value of$950.