Waukegan commission recommends park district right‑of‑way vacations despite residents' objections and a city engineer memo

The Waukegan Planning and Zoning Commission voted June 11 to recommend that the City Council vacate portions of North Garrick Avenue, West Country Club Avenue and North Northern Avenue at the request of the Waukegan Park District. The recommendation will go to City Council on July 6, 2026.

Planning staff (Tyler Williams) described the proposal as a straight vacation of right‑of‑way; the park district has acquired adjoining parcels and seeks to consolidate them into a contiguous area for a future neighborhood park. Staff noted existing wetlands in the northern portion of the H‑shaped parcel and read that the commission received two written objections prior to the meeting.

Ben Richards, grants and special projects administrator for the Waukegan Park District, said the district's intent is to create a small neighborhood park with a playground and walking path, and emphasized partnership with Lake County stormwater authorities. "We operate at a gold medal standard," Richards said, describing the park district's track record of community projects.

Multiple residents and the city's engineer urged caution. A resident and licensed professional engineer warned that vacating right‑of‑ways without a well‑defined, coordinated plan could undercut long‑term connectivity and development options identified in the city's 2020 comprehensive land use plan. Michael and Gloria Patterson submitted a written objection detailing seasonal standing water, potential loss of trees, concerns about usability of a wet site for playgrounds and perceived shortcomings in the public notice process; the letter also raised concerns about proximity to a recently approved radio tower.

A written objection from the city engineer, read into the record, urged the commission to withhold decisive action until there is a coordinated analysis of drainage, stormwater best management practices and pedestrian connectivity. The engineer cited sections of the 2020 comprehensive land use plan and identified alternative sites that might better meet park needs while preserving wetlands.

Commissioners debated the tradeoffs between securing parkland now and preserving long‑term development flexibility identified in the comprehensive plan. After discussion the commission voted to recommend approval to city council on a roll call vote: Haynes — yes; Young — yes; Carlos — yes; Shepard — yes; Hog — yes; Bill — yes. The city council will consider the vacation at its next meeting; the commission's vote is a recommendation, not a final disposal of the rights‑of‑way.

If city council approves the vacation, utility and access easements noted by staff may remain, and any actual park development would require additional approvals, including rezoning or map amendments and coordination on stormwater work and public input.