98-08 VACATING PORTION OF AN ALLEY

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�� ' ` % COMMTJNITY DEVELOPMENT MEMORANDUM NO. 98-20 March 25, 1998 TO: Honorable Mayor Terry M. Howley and City Counc' embers � - FROM: James L. Williams ., City Manager _ Cecil A. Collins, J Community Development Director � Robert A. McQueen, Senior Planner(��1 .�� SUBJECT: Vacation of a portion of the alley between the 800 - 900 blocks of East Eldorado and East North Streets A valid petition has been received from Sears Parts America requesting vacation of the subject alley. Sears Parts America presently owns all private property adjoining the alley in question. The purpose of the request is to allow new commercial development which would encroach into the existing right-of-way for the a11ey. An e�ension of this existing alley from the west end westerly to the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad (a distunce of approxirnately 150 feet) has been vacated by previous City Council action. Further, recent zoning action for adjoining lots to the immediate south from residential to commercial has . been completed to accommodate new commercial development. As future commercial development may occur within the boundaries of East Eldorado Street and East North Street and extending easterly to Calhoun Street, staff envisions future requests for vacation of this entire alley segment. Recognizing the proposed and future development as noted with common ownership extending to both sides of the alley as described, staff is of the opinion that the same is no longer necessary to serve the general public, and that the best interests of the City of Decatur would be served by approving the requested vacation. A perpetual easement would be retained to operate and maintain any existing utility lines, which presently includes a sanitary sewer. Further, any proposal to construct a building over the subject area would be subject to further review and approval by the City of Decatur Department of Public Works. The petitioners submitted from a qualified appraiser a value of$518.00 for the subject property; sta.ffrecommends approval of the proposed a11ey vacation with compensation to the City of Decatur in that amount.