Planning Commission recommends removing utility-easement clause from Aspen Street vacation ordinance

The City of North Ridgeville Planning Commission on Jan. 13 voted unanimously to recommend City Council approve Ordinance 2025-159, which would vacate a portion of Aspen Street, after striking a proposed Section 2 that would have required a 20-foot utility easement by quick-claim deed.

Planning and Development Director Lieber told the commission that staff reviewed the project record and found no condition of approval requiring the cut-through connection from the Drees/French Creek crossing to Aspen Street. Lieber said GIS measurements show the route via Roosevelt and Drake is about 0.27 mile, while routing through the cut-through is about 0.26 mile, and concluded, "So it saves no time." He added the cut-through would require pedestrian bridging across a small ditch and an additional, larger ditch near the Liberty Elementary property line with no identified funding, making the connection impractical.

City Engineer Evanston said Public Works had identified alternative access opportunities and that the city could be included as a user of a common block space in a later phase of the crossing, reducing the need to preserve a clearance on the Aspen Street right-of-way.

Assistant Law Director Morgan raised a question about Section 2 of the ordinance, which required a 20-foot utility easement. Staff and engineering reported no public water or sanitary lines run through the right-of-way that would necessitate such an easement, and Lieber told the commission, "So we think Section 2 can be omitted." The commission then voted to recommend the ordinance with Section 2 struck.

Two property owners who would be directly affected, Ellis and Jody Stevens of Ridgeview Boulevard, addressed the commission during public comment and thanked staff for their help navigating the petition; they said they had maintained the property for 23 years. Solomea Polly Hill and Tyler Polyhill also spoke in support, saying they appreciated staff assistance during the process.

The secretary called the roll; commissioners Ali, Toth, Schuman, Winkle and Smolik each voted "Yes," and the motion carried unanimously. The Planning Commission's action is a recommendation to City Council; Council will make the final decision on vacating the right-of-way.

The ordinance file number read into the record was Ordinance 2025-159 (vacating a portion of Aspen Street), introduced by Mayor Corcoran with prior readings and a public hearing held in 2025. The recommendation to strike Section 2 will be transmitted to City Council for its consideration.