Council approves Ruiz Addition final plat with access and utilities conditions

The Evanston City Council approved the final plat for the Ruiz Addition, a proposed subdivision that divides an approximately 1.5-acre parcel into two residential lots, subject to several staff-recommended conditions.

City staff member Mr. Jacobson described the project and rationale: Lot 1 (1.010 acres) and Lot 2 (0.615 acres) are in a medium-density residential zoning district with no minimum lot-size requirement. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions including installing water and sewer service to each lot per public-works direction, improving the primary access route (a cul-de-sac extension) and creating a 20-foot access and utility easement to provide firefighting apparatus access. "This work shall be reviewed and approved by the Evon fire department and the city engineer and completed prior to the signing of the plat," staff said.

Mr. Jacobson noted the lots will require utility extensions, and that one lot’s frontage is effectively served by an alley that cannot accommodate larger emergency equipment; the proposed 20-foot access easement and improved surface are intended to address that. Councilors asked clarifying questions about access and maintenance; staff said the city maintains the cul-de-sac and would require compacted, graded material adequate for emergency vehicles.

Council approved the final plat by voice vote and recorded the staff conditions as part of the approval. The council’s action allows the developer to record the final plat after satisfying the listed conditions and to apply for building permits once a certified reproducible mylar copy of the recorded plat is provided to the city.