Plan commission recommends certified survey map allowing Robinsons to absorb former well-house parcel

The Elm Grove Plan Commission on May 4 recommended approval of a certified survey map that will allow Jonathan and Susan Robinson to absorb the former well-house parcel at 12775 Green Meadow Place.

Ethan, planning staff, explained that the Meadows of the Grove Water Trust is in the process of dissolving and that, as proposed, the Robinsons would take the entire former well-house parcel and retain a single tax key for the combined property. "The Robinsons next door will be acquiring that land in in whole," Ethan said.

Mark Ellinger, who staff identified as the current president/trustee of the Meadows of the Grove Water Trust, was present to assist with the background. Staff said the water mains and other infrastructure that served the trust are largely abandoned in place, hydrants and valves have been removed, and the well is capped. Staff also said the Board of Appeals approved a variance allowing the building to remain in limited use as a yard-maintenance building.

A commissioner asked whether the combined lot could be re-subdivided in the future. Staff said legal counsel’s opinion is that, once combined as proposed, the lots cannot later be split apart. The commission moved, seconded and voted to recommend approval; the transcript records the recommendation as unanimous.

Staff noted the Robinsons incurred roughly $12,000 in water fees and survey costs to complete the consolidation and that the transfer consideration reported in the meeting was a nominal $1. The commission recommended the survey map to the board.