97-51 VACATING A ROADWAY EASEMENT

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MEMORANDUM NO. 97-61 May 28, 1997 TO: Honorable Mayor Terry M. Howley and City Coun 1 Members FROM: James L. Williams , City Manager � Debora L. Bean, ting Community Development Director �� Robert A. McQueen, Senior Planner ��`i�"� SUBJECT: Vacation of the south 15 feet of roadway easement extending east of North Taylor Avenue in Glenn Hall's Addition A valid petition requesting vacation of the subject roadway easement has been received from the adjoining property owners located in Glenn Hall's Addition; this easement was originally established in April, 1947, when the subject addition was originally platted and approved by Macon County. One of the seven adjoining owners was not agreeable to vacating the entire easement; therefore, the request is made for only the southern fifteen feet thereof. Inasmuch as this easement was never improved for vehicular access, and that the adjoining owners as noted do not use the same for access or foresee any future need for the southern fifteen feet, they request that it be vacated. Approval of the vacation would enable these owners to include that portion of the easement adjacent to their property as buildable area for an accessory building or minimum yard setback area for a main building. Staff is of the opinion that the subject portion of this easement is of no value to the general public for vehicular access, and the best interests of the public would be served by vacating the same. There are no City of Decatur utility lines located within the area in question, and the individual utility companies (Illinois Power, Ameritech, and TCI Cablevision) have agreed in writing to the proposed vacation. Since this is an easement over privately owned property, past policy has been not to assign a monetary value for vacation. Staff recommends approval of the petition as presented.