MINUTES OF THE PLAN COMMISSION
MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 15, 2007

The Plan Commission of the Village of Palos Park, Cook County, IL met for its regular meeting on Thursday, November 15, 2007. Chairman Ralph Jones called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Answering to roll call were: John Basso, Michael Sundermeier and Michael Wall. Julie Kay and Paul Petan were absent.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

John Basso moved, seconded by Michael Wall, to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2007 regular meeting. Upon voice vote, the motion carried 4 yes with 2 absent.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Request for alley vacation – 7914 W. 120^th St. – Maria Esparza

Maria Esparza explained that she received a survey of the property when she purchased it that represented the alley as being vacated but there is no record of it being vacated. She owns the property to the east and to the west of the alley. She said she intends to build an addition and needs the additional area to meet setbacks. She added that she and the Village staff see no need for an alley in this location; the extension of the alley north of the railroad tracks is vacated and the extension south of 120^th St. is not vacated, as stated by Village staff.

Chairman Jones said that, if vacated, the alley would still be maintained as a utility easement. He asked why the surveyor showed the alley as vacated? Ms. Esparza replied that the surveyor said “someone told him it was vacated”, but did not veryify that fact. Mr. Jones asked about the distance of the proposed addition to the alley? Ms. Esparza said 23 ft.

There was some discussion about the size of the lot if the vacated area is included. It was determined to be approximately 1.4 acres which is too small to be subdivided.

Michael Wall asked why the title report didn’t pick up on the alley not being vacated? No easement is shown on the survey and there are no utilities in the alley. Ms. Esparza noted that easements containing utilities are located along the railroad right of way.

Mr. Jones noted that there were no comments from the audience. He noted that no responses had been received from various utilities and if there were objections to vacating the alley, the matter should be returned to the Plan Commission. He added that the appraisal of the property has not been completed, but expects it to be available before the recommendation goes to the Village Council; the value of the property does not affect the decision of the Plan Commission.

Michael Sundermeier moved, seconded by Michael Wall, to recommend to the Village Council to approve the vacation of a 16-ft. wide alley on the north side of 120^th located approximately 7914 W. 120^th St. If objections are made by utilities, the matter should be returned to the Plan Commission for reconsideration. Upon roll call vote, the motion carried 4 yes, with 2 absent.

Chairman Jones told the petitioner the recommendation would be on the Nov. 26^th Council agenda if the appraisal is received by then. If it is not available, then the matter would be on the Dec. 10^th Council agenda.

OLD BUSINESS

Consider steps for updating 1999 Comprehensive Plan

John Houseal was not available for this meeting. Mr. Jones said the matter would be continued to the next Plan Commission meeting. He added that the CAMP and Strategic Plan would be included in the revised Comprehensive Plan.

PUBLIC COMMENT None

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. There will be no December Plan Commission meeting.

2. Submittals for the Jan. 17, 2008 Plan Commission meeting must be received by

Dec. 27, 2007.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further discussion, John Basso moved, seconded by Michael Sundermeier, to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m. Upon voice vote, the motion carried 4 yes with 2 absent.

Minutes respectfully submitted by:

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Kathryn Stanek
Secretary to the Plan Commission