Commission backs vacation of utility easement tied to 3021 South Galapago development

The Englewood Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended that the City Council vacate a utility easement tied to the development at 3021 South Galapago.

Chris Stevens, engineering manager in the Utilities Department, told the commission the easement was dedicated at the same time as the long‑standing right‑of‑way reservation but that utilities are installed and in service and the department no longer needs the easement. “We have easements on everything we need,” Stevens said, and he told the commission the Water and Sewer Board reviewed and unanimously approved the vacation at its May 12 meeting.

Applicant Alex Krasnick said the earlier 30‑ft easement was effectively replaced by a 50‑ft easement that largely overlaps with the earlier dedication except for roughly eight feet. He cited Ordinance No. 9 (2021) as the procedural framework and said the project had met the ordinance’s conditions and was following the required vacation process.

Commissioners asked whether the title issues were discovered during refinancing; Krasnick said the new lender’s title search uncovered easements that had not been previously identified and that the team had worked with the lender to keep financing on schedule. No members of the public appeared in opposition.

The commission closed the public hearing and voted to recommend City Council approve VAC 2025‑002. The vote was recorded as yes by the six members present: Ms. Austin, Mr. Montiel, Mr. Renson, Ms. Cesario (recorded as “Rosario” in some segments), Mr. Ruddle and Chair Martinez.

The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for ordinance action to remove the easement from title records.