Glen Ellyn, Pickwick Place fight suit

Glen Ellyn officials Monday night approved an agreement with Pickwick Place Shopping Center owners that will allow them to share information as they fight a lawsuit over property rights related to the plaza.

About three months ago, the owner of the adjacent property at 696 Roosevelt Road filed a lawsuit against Pickwick owners and Glen Ellyn officials after village officials vacated the right of way at the far eastern side of the lot to Pickwick Plaza owners in spring 2006. Acting Village Manager Curt Barrett said throughout the village, there are rights of way that never actually have roads built on them, therefore they are vacated.

The property owner of 696 Roosevelt Road wants to halt the right of way being given to Pickwick owners, village officials said.

Village Attorney Paul Keller said the approved agreement allows the village and Pickwick Plaza officials to share information among lawyers.

"It's basically a fight between two property owners, and the village is kind of caught in the middle," he said.

After the right of way was vacated, Pickwick owners turned the area into parking spaces. The property is no longer public property, and instead is private property that belongs to Pickwick owners. The village also no longer maintains the area.

"The village chose to vacate all of the right of way to Pickwick based on what the board felt was in the best interest of the community," Barrett said. "We have some thriving businesses in Pickwick, and parking is an issue."

He said the village and Pickwick officials are joining in an agreement saying Pickwick should get the entire right of way.

Keller said it's going to take a couple years to get through the trial.