TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jayne Bernhard, Planning Director
SUBJECT:
title
Ordinance and Resolution Associated with the Vacation of a Portion of Millsdale Road
Ordinance Approving Vacation of a Portion of Millsdale Road Adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad (V-6-26)
Resolution Approving Dedication of a Public Utility Easement Adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad (V-6-26)
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BACKGROUND:
In June of 2025, the City entered into a Settlement and Mutal Releases Agreement with Houbolt Road Extension JV, LLC, Centerpoint Properties Trust, Centerpoint Joliet Terminal Railroad, LLC, East Gate-Logistics Park Chicago, LLC, New Wave Farms, LLC, and Northpoint Development LLC relating to the construction of the East Gate Logistics Park development in Joliet. The Agreement stipulates that East Gate is required by the City to construct a closed loop truck network that would serve as the exclusive method of tractor-trailer truck ingress and egress within the East Gate property, only to be accessed to and from the East Gate property by tractor-trailer trucks via a single access point on Millsdale Road. The Agreement further states that the closed loop truck network shall include a proposed bridge crossing the Union Pacific Railroad at a point immediately south of Millsdale Road and connecting with Millsdale Road at a point west of the Union Pacific Railroad. Corresponding right-of-way dedications south of Millsdale Road, adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad crossing were approved by the City Council at its September 15, 2026 meeting.
A cul-de-sac has already been constructed east of the Millsdale Road and railroad intersection to separate residential traffic closer to Illinois Route 53 away from the closed loop truck network access point. Once the bridge is built, eastbound traffic on Millsdale Road, west of the railroad, will either have to merge onto the closed loop truck network, or will be forced to turn around in the existing turnaround circle that is located west of the current railroad intersection.
The Union Pacific Railroad requested that the subject parcels at the intersection of Millsdale Road and the Union Pacific Railroad be vacated, since cross access will not be possible once the bridge construction is complete. Located to the north of the proposed Railroad Bridge, the attached Plat of Vacation shows the four right-of-way parcels that must be vacated to allow construction of the Railroad Bridge. A public utility easement would be placed over the proposed vacation area to allow access to and maintenance of existing water and sanitary sewer infrastructure that is located along the north side of Millsdale Road, within two of the parcels to be vacated. Staff have no objection to the requested Plat of Vacation approval. Staff have not received any comments from utility companies in opposition to the proposed Plat of Vacation. The applicable vacation ordinance will not be in effect until the Union Pacific Bridge connection between Third Coast Parkway and Millsdale Road has been completed.
PLAN COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING:
The Plan Commission held a public hearing on the subject petitions at its August 20, 2026, meeting. Nathaniel Washburn from KGG LLC, appeared on behalf of the petitions. Commissioner Martin asked if renderings of the proposed UP Bridge were available. Staff responded by saying that bridge renderings have not been included in the staff report packet. Mr. Gene Jiang appeared before the Commission to voice his concern as an adjacent private landowner. Staff provided contact information to Mr. Jiang after the meeting. Minutes of the meeting are attached hereto.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLAN COMMISSION:
recommendation
Wendell Martin moved that the Plan Commission recommend approval of V-6-26: Vacation of a portion of Millsdale Road and Dedication of a Public Utility Easement Adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad. Debbie Radakovich seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) aye votes. Voting aye were: Cox, Crompton, Martin, Radakovich, Turk, and Hammac. Voting nay were: none. Commissioners Eulitz and Leon were absent.
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RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION:
recommendation
Staff concur with the recommendation of the Plan Commission and recommend that the Mayor and City Council approve the following:
1. Ordinance Approving Vacation of a Portion of Millsdale Road Adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad
2. Resolution Approving Dedication of a Public Utility Easement Adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad