During a recent government meeting, the council discussed a request from residents Wendy and Eric Thompson to vacate a portion of Ellington Drive adjacent to their property at 1039 Quinwood Lane. The proposed area for vacation measures approximately 33,100 square feet and is classified as a \"paper road,\" meaning it is not currently used for vehicular traffic.

City staff have been collaborating with the Thompsons over several months to establish a drainage maintenance and access agreement concerning the proposed vacated right-of-way. The council noted that the right-of-way is no longer deemed necessary for public use, and its abandonment would not adversely affect the city or public access to nearby water bodies. Additionally, utility companies have expressed no objections to the proposed abandonment.

The Development Review Committee (DRC) unanimously recommended forwarding the request to the council, setting a public hearing and action date for August 12, 2024. Council members raised concerns about the potential loss of green space and trees that could result from the vacation, particularly given the proximity to Maitland Community Park. However, staff reiterated that the area in question had previously been vacated in 1992, and this request pertains to the remaining half of the roadway.

The council acknowledged that other homeowners in the vicinity could potentially make similar requests for right-of-way vacations. The discussion highlighted the balance between private property interests and the preservation of community green spaces. Further inquiries were made regarding the future use of the vacated area, but no specific plans were presented at this time.