In a recent government meeting, council members engaged in a detailed discussion regarding a proposed franchise ordinance for a driveway that extends into the public right of way. The ordinance was met with significant opposition, primarily due to the fact that the driveway in question was already illegally constructed and existed prior to the current ownership of the property.

Council members expressed concerns about granting permissions retroactively for a driveway that was built without proper authorization. One council member highlighted that the property had changed ownership, with the current owner having sold it in September, which raised questions about the legitimacy of the request. The member emphasized the importance of adhering to proper procedures and suggested that any permissions should be granted to the rightful owner of the property.

Several council members echoed these sentiments, voting against the ordinance while advocating for a clearer understanding of the city’s policies regarding similar situations in the future. They stressed the need for a comprehensive framework to guide decisions rather than addressing individual cases on an ad-hoc basis.

The discussion also touched on the potential legal liabilities for the city if the ordinance were to pass without proper ownership verification. Ultimately, the council voted against the ordinance, with members expressing a desire for further clarification on the city’s responsibilities and policies moving forward. The council plans to revisit the issue with a more structured approach in future meetings.