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Evanston council approves sealed-bid sale of two-acre parcel on West Cheyenne
Summary
Councilors voted to combine a half-acre parcel with an adjoining roughly 1.5-acre tract and sell the combined property by sealed bid after staff warned the smaller parcel could become landlocked; council required appraisal and standard advertising procedures.
The Evanston City Council approved a motion to combine two adjacent pieces of city-owned land on West Cheyenne and offer the property for sale by sealed bid.
City Attorney Mark Harris summarized the request and the staff recommendation, describing the parcels and potential problems if only the half-acre were sold. As Harris told the council: “If we sold that half acre, there's no guarantee who's gonna buy it... that parcel is gonna be landlocked, because it's owned by JG Brothers on the East Side, and it's owned by Yellow Creek Ranch Company on the West.” Harris said staff asked whether the council wanted to sell the half acre alone or combine it with the adjacent 1.5 acres; staff recommended selling the whole two-acre tract to avoid landlocking and to ensure a workable development pattern.
Council members raised questions about park dedication and whether the larger tract had been dedicated to the city as part of subdivision requirements. Harris said a title report had been requested to confirm whether any part had been dedicated as parkland and reminded the council that if the land had been dedicated for park use the city would have to follow vacation procedures.
Action and outcome: Council voted to offer the combined roughly two-acre parcel for sale by sealed bid. Council directed staff to obtain an appraisal and to advertise the sale; the city will set a minimum price at appraised value and retain the right to reject all bids. The motion to combine the parcels and pursue a sealed-bid sale was made by Council Member Lynn and seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.
Details and next steps: Staff noted these procedural steps for the sale: obtain a title report, complete an appraisal, set a minimum sale price at appraised value, advertise for three weeks, and accept sealed bids. Councilors asked that the process ensure the city receives fair market value and that future development will be subject to subdivision requirements (including dedication or cash in lieu for park/open space) if any new subdivision is proposed.
Ending: The council approved the sealed-bid sale and asked staff to return with the title report and appraisal and to prepare the formal sale notice and procedures.
