TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dustin Anderson, Director of Community Development
SUBJECT:
title
Ordinance Approving a Vacation of a 0.2-Acre Portion of Unused Hobbs Avenue Right-of-Way (Adjacent to 700 Florence Avenue) (V-1-25)
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BACKGROUND:
The petitioner, Juan Guzman, is requesting to vacate the 0.2-acre unused portion of Hobbs Avenue right-of-way that is adjacent to the residential property they own at 700 Florence Avenue. The right-of-way portion, which lies south of Florence Avenue and is approximately 66 feet wide and 134 feet deep, contains driveways for the two adjacent residential properties at 622 Florence Avenue and 700 Florence Avenue. The lot at 700 Florence Avenue contains a one-and-a-half-story residence with no enclosed or covered garage. The only off-street parking for the property is located on the right-of-way portion in question. The petitioner would like to own the right-of-way area so they can someday build a garage for 700 Florence Avenue.
The owner of 622 Florence Avenue has signed off on the vacation petition and does not wish to own the half of the right-of-way adjacent to their property. The detached garage at 622 Florence Avenue is currently accessed via an angled driveway on the west side of the right-of-way. An access easement over the portion containing the 622 driveway will be provided to allow this access to continue.
Edward J. Batis and Associates completed an appraisal of the subject property and determined the market value of the right-of-way portion to be $200.00 as of March 23, 2025. The petitioner has agreed to this amount and has paid the appraisal fee for this appraisal.
The Public Utilities and Public Works Departments support this request. Nicor has responded that they do not require any easements to be reserved over the subject area. ComEd requires a 10-foot public utility easement along the south property line due to power lines in that area. Public utility easements will also be reserved along the west and north sides due to power lines for the existing street light pole on Florence Avenue.
PLAN COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING:
The Plan Commission held a public hearing on this matter at their meeting on February 20, 2025. Christina Amezcua, family member of the petitioner, represented the petition. One person spoke in opposition to the petition if the property were to be used for a commercial purpose. The petitioner responded that the property would remain residential. Meeting minutes are attached.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLAN COMMISSION:
Jeff Crompton moved that the Plan Commission recommend approval of the Vacation of a 0.2-acre portion of unused Hobbs Avenue right-of-way (adjacent to 700 Florence Avenue). Jason Cox seconded the motion, which passed with nine (9) aye votes and no nay votes. Voting aye were: Kella, Cox, Crompton, Perez, Roehr, Orlando, Radakovich, Turk, and Martin. Voting nay were: none. Absent were: none.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff concurs with the recommendation of the Plan Commission and recommends the Mayor and City Council adopt an Ordinance approving a vacation of a 0.2-acre portion of unused Hobbs Avenue right-of-way, adjacent to 700 Florence Avenue.
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