Planning commission recommends vacating right-of-way adjacent to 1206 Yeoman Street

The Waukegan Planning and Zoning Commission on May 8 recommended approval of a vacation of a portion of city right-of-way adjacent to 1206 Yeoman Street, a move intended to allow the homeowner to keep an existing driveway and a gate installed without permits in 2024.

City planner Tyler, presenting zoning calendar V-01/25, told commissioners the homeowner Linda Dorsey has used the city right-of-way as a driveway for more than 40 years and that a garage on the site was built in 1982. "The homeowner has used this right of way as their driveway for over 40 years," Tyler said. Staff noted a four-foot utility easement at the north end of the strip and said utility companies including North Shore Gas, ComEd and AT&T had signed off on the proposed vacation.

The commission’s recommendation approves the technical vacation and forwards it to the City Council, which sets the final price and grants final approval. Staff presented an estimated purchase price using the city’s standard formula: roughly $1.46 per square foot multiplied by the area (about 2,200 square feet), yielding a recommended price of $3,223.68; Tyler said the council determines the final amount. Linda Dorsey, sworn as the property owner, said her family has owned the house since her birth and that a 1982 permit she reported could not be located in city records: "My parents had this home, you know, since I was born... my father had a garage built on that alley, as you call it. And the city of Joaquin gave me permit, permit number 1005. I came to the city to find that permit, no 1 could find that document."

Commissioners asked whether the utility easement was covered by concrete and whether utilities could still access lines; Tyler said there are overhead cables and that utility providers had signed off. Commissioners also discussed that the vacation process is the correct municipal avenue when a right-of-way has effectively been used as private property and that final conveyance requires council action. The motion to recommend approval was made by Commissioner Hague and seconded by Commissioner Young; the roll-call vote was unanimous in favor.

The commission’s recommendation is advisory; the City Council will review the vacation and set the final price and deed process. The staff record notes the existence of a four-foot utility easement that will remain and that utilities retained access rights despite the proposed vacation.