Commerce council approves sale of two city lots to Chicago Legacy Group

The Commerce City Council voted Nov. 18 to approve a resolution authorizing the sale of two city-owned residential lots (property IDs 70335 and 70332) to Chicago Legacy Group for $20,000 per lot, a total of $40,000. City Manager Mister Lizzabee said the lots have been held by the city since 1972 and are being offered through the city’s broker, Randy Tarpley. Staff recommended approval to allow the developer to subdivide the parcels to increase housing in the neighborhood.

The council moved and seconded the resolution and approved it by voice vote. The agenda item followed a staff presentation that noted there are no back taxes on the properties and that the parcels have been off the tax rolls since 1972.

City Manager Lizzabee framed the sale as a way to return long-unused lots to productive private development and to add more affordable housing options. The broker, Randy Tarpley, told the council that Chicago Legacy Group has development experience in the region and intends to subdivide the lots as part of a housing project. No detailed site plans or binding development agreement were provided during the meeting.

The resolution was adopted at the meeting; the council recorded the motion, a second and a voice vote approving the sale. The council did not record an itemized roll-call vote in the meeting transcript.

Next steps described by staff were ministerial: execute necessary documentation to complete the transfer and return the lots to the property tax roll once the sale and any subsequent development are finalized.