Commission backs partial alley vacation west of 201st Avenue after neighborhood petition

The Kenosha City Planning Commission on Thursday voted to approve a resolution recommending the partial vacation of an alley west of 20 First Avenue between Eighth and Ninth Street, advancing the petition to the common council with conditions that required recording of necessary documents.

Britney Free, who identified herself as representing the Sixth District of Kenosha, said the petition came from nearby residents and that she had spoken with city development and the director of public works; she said the proposed vacation addresses a single property that uses a garage with alley access and would improve snow-plowing operations along the remaining alley.

Staff explained that the partial vacation would leave open one property’s alley access because that garage only accesses the alley, and that the typical dead-end length for a partial alley vacation is about 100 feet but that this request is roughly 150 feet; staff said the common council may approve a longer dead-end for good cause and noted the director of public works preferred the longer configuration to aid snow removal.

A commissioner framed the vote in the context of a citywide pattern, saying the city has historically favored vacating alleys where possible and urged approval. The commission moved, seconded and took a roll-call vote that recorded ayes for the members listed in the record; the motion carried and staff said the recommendation will go to the public-works committee and then the common council for final action.

The commission’s action is a recommendation to the common council; the council will complete the legal steps, including recording the vacation and any required public notices, before any ownership changes occur. The staff presenter noted the vacation is conditioned on recording the required documents and public-works review.