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Commission recommends sale of unimproved rights-of-way adjacent to North Iowa and Northeast Street
Summary
The La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of two combined street-and-alley-closure requests to vacate roughly 0.55 and 0.22 acres of unimproved right-of-way adjacent to North Iowa Street and Northeast Street; staff said appraisals were paid into escrow and no city infrastructure lies within the closures.
The La Porte Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend that City Council approve two street-and-alley vacation applications (SAC2025-0016 and SAC2026-0003) that would deed small, unimproved portions of right-of-way to adjacent private owners.
Ryan Beatluk, the city's director of planning and development, told commissioners the L-shaped area consists of unimproved right-of-way with no existing city infrastructure and that an appraisal report was completed and the fair-market value had been placed in escrow. "All of the appropriate city departments have reviewed this request, and have no objections," Beatluk said, and staff recommended approval with the standard condition that applicants pay for removal or relocation of any city utilities if present.
Members of the public representing the prospective buyers addressed the commission. Gilbert Moreno, speaking for owner Bob Hill, said the buyers had paid $60,000 into escrow for the right-of-way and wanted to clear and use a narrow 20-by-60-foot strip adjacent to their property for outdoor inventory and pipe supplies. "We've paid 60,000 for that right away," Moreno said. Timothy Larson, who identified himself as the agent assisting the buyers, confirmed the applicants followed city procedures and that the appraisal and escrow had been handled professionally.
After limited questions from commissioners and confirmation that the southern portion of the parcel is accounted for as retention, a motion to recommend approval with staff's conditions was made and passed by voice vote. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.
