City commissioners in Illinois debate whether an attorney can prepare a legal description for determining property rights instead of a licensed land surveyor.  

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

Jg-tc.com: MATTOON - City commissioners witnessed a debate over surveying requirements before approving a land sale option Thursday morning in City Hall.

Commissioner Chris Rankin refused to make a motion for a special ordinance on the sales option of 12.7 acres to Savannah Farms, L.P. of St. Louis because he said a professional land survey was legally required. He said it was illegal under the land surveyor act to have an attorney prepare the legal description for determining property rights.

“This should be prepared by a professional land surveyor, not an attorney,” Rankin said during the special meeting called to prepare for the sale of the acres along the north side of Old State Road near the railroad right of way near a subdivision and specialized care facility east of South Ninth Street.

City Attorney Preston Owen said Rankin was “making a mountain out of a mole hill” over this issue on a land description based on work prepared by Upchurch & Associates of Mattoon, a firm that helps the city on project planning and design.  

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