Auroraadvocate.com - City land declared unneeded

by Holly Schoenstein

Reporter

Aurora -- City Council declared Oct. 26 that two properties are of no use to the city, but left another city-owned parcel's fate lingering on the agenda.

In previous discussions, mayoral candidates and Councilmen have said they would like to sell certain parcels to fund the purchases of others, including perhaps the Aurora Golf Club.

By a vote of 7-1, Council passed ordinances declaring a 14-acre parcel at Treat Road and Route 306 and a 22-acre parcel at West Pioneer Trail and Bissell Road not needed, with Ward 2 Councilman Dennis Kovach voting against both.

Councilman-At-Large Robert Galaska was absent.

Council moved an ordinance that would declare a 31-acre parcel at 1039 E. Mennonite Road not needed for municipal purposes to second reading.

Planning-Zoning-Building Director Rich Wehrenberg sent a memo Oct. 20 that explained why the city no longer needs the Treat Road property.

"City functions previously carried out there are being accounted for in other locations or by other means," he said. "The recent rezoning of the area to R-4 indicates the best land use is medium-density residential housing."

The parcel at Treat Road and Route 306 was to be sold several months ago, but a deal fell through.

In another memo, this time dated Oct. 22, he said:

"The Pioneer Trail property is located in a C-3 zoning district adjacent to an area with recent development activities, and city efforts are focused elsewhere for potential development of a recreation center."

THE WEST Pioneer Trail land previously was considered for building a community center or ballfields.

"The Chesnes property [on East Mennonite Road] is not suitable for municipal use due to its location and the impracticability of conversion of the home to municipal uses," Wehrenberg noted.

One reason Council balked at passing the Chesnes ordinance was that some members wanted to amend it to include a barn that is situated on the property.

The legislation as written did not include the barn.

Ward 1 Councilman Jim Vaca commented that if the West Pioneer Trail property is sold, the new owner may choose to remove trees that line the street, something which the city has opposed in the past.

To prevent development that would affect that area, Councilman John Kudley said the city could place deed restrictions on the property.

He also said selling a part of the Chesnes land would save the city the cost of maintaining the house.

Several months ago, a Council panel discussed selling the front part -- nearest East Mennonite Road -- of the Chesnes property, but did not move forward.

Ward 6 Councilman Tom Dreher reiterated his objection to the city declaring any part of the Chesnes property not needed and called the action "ridiculous."

He said he would concede to the declaration only after the city tries to make the property profitable and fails.

Residents cautioned Council to consider whether the parcels aren't needed.

Several Council members requested appraisals for all three properties.

E-mail:

hschoenstein@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-0088 ext. 3152