STAFF REPORT 2017-34P: Street Vacation Community Development Department Council Chambers, 7:30 PM, September 7, 2017 To: From: Re: Paul Luke, Chairman, Skokie Plan Commission Mike Voitik, Planning Technician 2017-34P: Street Vacation Dobson Street Related Cases 2017-33P: Zoning Map Amendment 2017-35P: Subdivision 2017-36P: Site Plan Approval General Information Location Purpose Petitioner Size of Site Existing Zoning & Land Use Adjacent Zoning & Land Use Comprehensive Plan Improved street, as follows: The south 59 feet of Dobson Street between East Prairie Road and the eastern north-south alley in the 3900 block of Dobson. To vacate approximately 124.77 linear feet of improved public street. Trustee of Schools Township 41, Range 13, Niles Township 7,361 s.f. (0.169 ac.) B2 Commercial improved public right-of-way North South East West B2 Commercial office and administrative services B2 Commercial elementary and junior and middle high school, child day care not in a residence R2 Single-Family detached residences B2 Commercial improved public street The site is designated as single family detached residential PETITIONER S SUBMITTAL The petitioner is requesting to vacate the south 59 feet of Dobson Street between East Prairie Road and the eastern north-south alley in the 3900 block of Dobson. At the present time, the street is improved and contains an asphalt-paved roadway, concrete curb and gutter, and street signs. Additionally, a 12-inch combined sewer main and a 6-inch water main run in an east-west direction through the subject site. VOSDOCS-#521206-v1-Staff_Report_-_2017-34P_-_Street_Vacation Dobson_Street.doc 1 of 3
The petitioner intends to raze the existing East Prairie Elementary School building and construct a new school building and reconfigure the site s layout in order to improve student safety and vehicular drop off and pick up circulation (case 2017-36P). With regards to the request, the petitioner explains that: This [vacation] will allow for an extension of the outdoor playfield for more adequate play space on a very tight elementary school site. This site arrangement will also decrease traffic congestion as is indicated in the traffic analysis. STAFF ANALYSIS Comments Staff Comment and Review sheets were sent to all pertinent departments. No comments were received for the street vacation case. Planning Division The Planning Division staff supports the proposed vacation. The section of Dobson Street between Crawford Avenue and East Prairie Road is presently a one-way eastbound street that is primarily used for drop off and pick up of students at East Prairie Elementary School. The street also provides vehicular access to the school district s administrative building, 3 residences at 3914, 3920, and 3926 Dobson Street as well as to 2 north-south running public alleys within the 3900 block of Dobson. Upon vacation of the subject site, the remainder of Dobson Street will become a 2- way street. Access to the residence at 3920 Dobson will continue to be maintained, along with access to both alleys. The residences at 3914 and 3926 Dobson will be demolished in conjunction with the construction of the new school building, resulting in less public use of the remainder of the street. The north 7 feet of Dobson Street will remain a public right-of-way in order to maintain a public sidewalk between East Prairie Road and the eastern north-south alley in the 3900 block of Dobson. An easement shall be established for the full width of vacated Dobson Street in order to enable continued access to the sewer and water mains that are present within the subject site. In order to assume continued maintenance and liability, the Village will not record the plat of vacation or the plat of subdivision (case 2017-35P) until Dobson Street is physically closed to vehicular traffic. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends that the petitioner s request to vacate the south 59 feet of Dobson Street between East Prairie Road and the eastern north-south alley in the 3900 block of Dobson in a B2 Commercial district, be GRANTED subject to conditions listed below. VOSDOCS-#521206-v1-Staff_Report_-_2017-34P_-_Street_Vacation Dobson_Street.doc 2 of 3
RECOMMENDED VACATION CONDITIONS 1. An easement shall be established for the full width of vacated Dobson Street in order to enable continued access to the sewer and water mains that are present within the subject site. 2. The plat of vacation will not be recorded by the Village until Dobson Street is physically closed to vehicular traffic. 3. The property shall be vacated pursuant to the Plat of Vacation dated <to be determined>, and as may be further revised with the approval of the Village Manager, or designee, and Corporation Counsel. 4. 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. 5. 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 August 29, 2017 3. Land Use and Zoning Map VOSDOCS-#521206-v1-Staff_Report_-_2017-34P_-_Street_Vacation Dobson_Street.doc 3 of 3