Ottawa commission approves vacating easement at 1015 North Cherry to correct earlier ordinance

The Ottawa City Commission voted unanimously Oct. 2 to vacate an existing easement at 1015 North Cherry Street and repeal a previously adopted ordinance with an incorrect legal description.

City Planner Martin told commissioners the application returned to the commission to correct an error in the originally approved ordinance. "The application was heard at the 09/11/2024 Planning Commission public hearing with notice for the hearing provided on 08/19/2024," Martin said, presenting images and a staff recommendation to adopt the revised ordinance. Staff said the subject parcel is approximately 0.67 acres, zoned R‑3, and that a four‑plex dwelling is an allowable use. The item was approved "as to form" by the city attorney, and staff said there is no anticipated cost to the city beyond standard publication fees.

Commissioner Crowley moved to approve item 11a; the motion was seconded. Roll call votes were recorded: Crowley — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Allen — yes; Commissioner Clayton — yes; Commissioner Taylor — yes; Mayor Mike Skidmore — yes. The motion carried and the commission adopted findings of the Planning Commission and the revised ordinance vacating the unneeded easement and repealing the prior ordinance (referenced in staff remarks as Ordinance 4135‑24).

The commission did not record any conditions or amendments on the approval. The revised ordinance corrects the legal description that had required the application to return to the commission for remediation.

Next steps: the ordinance will be processed administratively per staff procedure; no additional votes were recorded on the item at this meeting.