Plan Commission

STAFF REPORT 2018-02P: Street Vacation Community Development Department Council Chambers, 7:30 PM, March 15, 2018 To: Paul Luke, Chairman, Skokie Plan Commission From: Mike Voitik, Planning Technician Re: 2018-02P: Street Vacation Lyons Street General Information Location Unimproved street, as follows: The north 33’ of Lyons Street between the ComEd property and Lawler Avenue. Purpose To vacate approximately 296.835 linear feet of unimproved public street. Petitioner The Village of Skokie Size of Site The street’s dimensions are approximately 296.82 feet on the north, 33.00 feet on the east, 296.85 feet on the south, and 33.00 feet on the west. The area of the street is approximately 9,795.55 square feet (0.22 acre). Existing Zoning & R2 Single-Family – unimproved public right-of-way containing Land Use grass, trees, and landscaping Adjacent Zoning & North R2 Single-Family – public park Land Use South R2 Single-Family – community center (Mayer Kaplan JCC) East R2 Single-Family – detached residences West M2 Light Industry – public utility distribution facility Comprehensive Plan The site is designated as open spaces PETITIONER’S SUBMITTAL The Village of Skokie is requesting the vacation of the north 33 feet of Lyons Street between the ComEd property and Lawler Avenue in an R2 Single-Family district. At the present time, the street is unimproved and contains grass, trees, and landscaping. No public utilities are present within the subject site. The Village intends to vacate the street and convey it to the Skokie Park District at no charge. The park district has maintained the subject site for many years as part of Emerson Park. Although the south half of Lyons Street was originally approved for vacation by the Village in 1968 (case 68-58P) in advance of the construction of the VOSDOCS-#529376-v1-Staff_Report_-_2018-02P_-_Street_Vacation__Lyons_Street 1 of 2 Mayer Kaplan JCC facility at 5050 Church Street, the Village somehow did not record the plat of vacation at that time. The plat was eventually recorded in 2017 in preparation for the sale of the community center property. This portion of Lyons Street is identified in Chapter 5 of the Village’s Comprehensive Plan as being a potential street to be vacated. STAFF ANALYSIS Comments All pertinent departments and divisions were offered an opportunity to comment on this case. Other than the Planning Division comments below, all others approved the request without comment. Planning Division The Planning Division staff supports the proposed street vacation. The subject site has been utilized as an extension of Emerson Park for many years. The existing right-of-way is not used for transportation or utility purposes and is better suited as becoming a part of the Skokie Park District’s property. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends that the petitioner’s request to vacate the north 33 feet of Lyons Street between the ComEd property and Lawler Avenue in an R2 Single-Family district be GRANTED subject to conditions listed below. RECOMMENDED VACATION CONDITIONS 1. The property shall be vacated pursuant to the Plat of Vacation dated <date to be determined>, and as may be further revised with the approval of the Village Manager, or designee, and Corporation Counsel. 2. Upon the passage of the ordinance by the Board of Trustees, the Mylar of the Plat of Vacation shall be submitted to the Village with all signatures other than Village staff or elected officials. 3. The vacation shall be effective upon the recording of a Plat of Vacation by the Village in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Cook County, Illinois. ATTACHMENTS 1. Site Photos 2. Plat of Vacation, dated March 8, 2018 3. Land Use and Zoning Map VOSDOCS-#529376-v1-Staff_Report_-_2018-02P_-_Street_Vacation__Lyons_Street 2 of 2