TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MAY 21, 2026
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. John P. Murray, Executive Director
Title
Authority to grant Evanston/Skokie School District 65 a 25-year, 13,755 sq. ft. non-exclusive easement to continue to operate and maintain a widened service drive along the east bank of the North Shore Channel between Church and Dempster Streets in Evanston, Illinois; North Shore Channel Parcel 3.08. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00
Body
Dear Sir:
Evanston/Skokie School District 65 (“School District 65”) operates and maintains a small portion of a service drive on District property located behind the Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center pursuant to an easement granted by the District on November 1, 2001. The access easement consists of two adjacent strips of land comprising approximately 15 ft. x 833 ft. and 5 ft. x 252 ft. (13,755 sq. ft. in total) along the east bank of the North Shore Channel between Church and Dempster Streets in Evanston, Illinois, known as North Shore Channel Parcel 3.08. The easement is necessary to accommodate the turning requirements of large fire department vehicles as specified by the Evanston Fire Department when the Hill Early Childhood Center was planned and constructed in 2001. The District only owns the land along the banks at this location. The existing easement expires October 31, 2026.
School District 65 has requested a new 25-year easement to continue to operate and maintain this access drive to accommodate the turning requirements of large fire department vehicles.
The District’s technical departments have reviewed School District 65’s request and have no objections thereto. A nominal fee of $10.00 is recommended as Evanston School District 65 is a governmental entity using District property for public purposes.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it grant Evanston/Skokie School District 65 a 25-year, 13,755 sq. ft. non-exclusive easement to continue to operate and maintain a widened service drive along the east bank of the North Shore Channel between Church and Dempster Streets in Evanston, Illinois; North Shore Channel Parcel 3.08. Consideration shall be a nominal fee of $10.00.
It is also requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and direct the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk to execute said easement agreement after it is approved by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Susan T. Morakalis, General Counsel, STM:BJD:PJK:vp
Recommended, John P. Murray, Executive Director
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for May 21, 2026
Attachment