St. Joseph planning commission recommends vacations of streets and easements, approves street-name consistency; resident objects to eminent-domain plan

The St. Joseph Planning Commission on an administrative vote recommended city council approve multiple street and easement vacations and a street-name change, and heard a public objection from a property owner who said the city had issued notice of an eminent‑domain interest in her historic farm.

The commission unanimously recommended approval of a street vacation for a portion of the 2400 block of Second Street between Walnut and Oak to allow the city to connect adjacent city-owned properties and fence the area to prevent vandalism. Brandon Canoy of Public Works presented the item and told commissioners, “we are recommending approval.” The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all recorded members answering “yes.”

The body also recommended approval of a right‑of‑way/utility easement vacation at 4215 Commonwealth Court, requested by Joe McLaughlin on behalf of Tyler Reed, and a set of related utility‑easement vacations for multiple Commons‑area parcels. Canoy said the applicants propose to vacate certain broad utility easements and replace them with more narrowly targeted sanitary‑sewer or detention easements so future utility work will not cross proposed parking areas; staff recommended approval and noted replacement easements and engineering plans are under review.

Applicant representative Austin Lage confirmed the detention easement is included in the vacation package and asked for clarification: “I just wanted to make sure the detention easement salts are getting vacated as part of this.” Canoy acknowledged a clerical error on the slide and confirmed the detention easement is included. Commissioners pressed staff on whether the sketched drainage easement on the large‑format exhibit reflected an exact survey. Canoy said a survey and engineer‑stamped calculations have been submitted and will be checked during plan review.

The commission moved each easement‑vacation item forward to city council with recommendations of approval after unanimous roll‑call votes.

On a separate item, the commission voted to support a request from the Buchanan County Commission to rename the south portion of Ag Expo Way to Craig Parkway so the corridor has a consistent name through the city limits; staff said the county will cover most sign‑change costs. That motion also passed unanimously and will go to city council with a recommendation of approval.

During the meeting’s public‑comment period, resident Julie Gilmette of 4401 Ajax Road said she and her sister inherited an ancestral farm founded in 1847 that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and that she had received a 60‑day notice of intent to acquire part of the farm for a box‑culvert/roadway project near Pettis and Menards. She read dimensions from the plan and expressed worry the temporary and permanent easements could create a “toehold” for future expansion: “Once this starts, what’s to prevent later … the city got this eminent domain.”

The chair and staff told Gilmette the planning commission likely does not have jurisdiction over eminent‑domain acquisitions and advised her to meet the project manager, referenced as Mister Spriggs, and the ombudsman listed on the notice. Canoy said the immediate engineering need is a failing crossing and that the box culvert replacement was intended to address roadway failure; he directed Gilmette to public works staff for further discussion after the meeting.

Next steps: each recommended item will be forwarded to the St. Joseph City Council for final action; staff said engineering plans and replacements for vacated easements will be reviewed administratively during the development plan process. The commission previewed additional code amendments and one or two small subdivisions expected in coming months, welcomed new member Tim Lager and adjourned.