Kenosha board approves petition to vacate alley south of 68th Street to give adjacent owners control of access

The Kenosha Board of Water Commissioners voted May 14 to approve a consent petition to vacate the alley located south of 68th Street and east of 3rd Avenue, a passage used to access rear garages for three properties.

A staff member told the board this item is the first procedural step: "This is just the first step in the process to essentially have all the abutting property owners consent previous public right of way attached to the adjacent properties," and that full documentation, including future dedication and easement items, will come back through the city's process. Staff said the petition was initiated by the property owners to allow them to remove snow themselves and secure long-term access to their garages.

Board members reviewed maps and staff-provided street views during discussion. Staff noted the parcel in question was once associated with nearby manufacturing and had been utility-owned for decades. The staff presentation clarified that if the land were to be dedicated to adjacent park owners or otherwise transferred, additional approvals and potential changes to fence lines or maintenance responsibilities would be considered in later steps.

A commissioner moved to approve the petition and the motion was seconded; the board voted by voice and the motion carried with recorded 'ayes' and the chair's vote noted. No public commenters registered on the agenda item during the meeting, and staff said that the city process will handle the subsequent easement and dedication paperwork.

The board did not set a timeline for the later dedication or easement hearings at this meeting; staff indicated those actions would return to the board or relevant city bodies as required by city procedures.