Council reviews ordinance to designate downtown alleys as pedestrian walkways; first reading set

The Lebanon City Council on March 24 heard a first reading of Ordinance 2025-10 to create a new city code chapter designating three downtown alley segments as pedestrian walkways and to set rules for their use. Council scheduled a second reading and public hearing for April 14.

City planner Kevin (last name in transcript) said the downtown square reconstruction in 2017 effectively closed the east, north and south alley approaches with barricades and furnishings, and recent activation projects—catenary lighting on the south alley and a basketball-themed activation on the north alley—have changed how those spaces are used. The ordinance would add a definition for pedestrian walkways and make the three half‑block alleys subject to rules that prohibit motorized vehicle use, refuse storage, and logistics such as delivery staging, while authorizing signs, markings and permitted activations subject to Board of Public Works and Safety oversight.

Council members asked how the ordinance would affect existing uses, such as dumpsters and recent building renovation staging; city staff said renovation staging and construction activities would still be allowed through required permits and Board of Works approval. Kevin said the ordinance is intentionally limited to the specified alley halves and would not change the definition or use of other alleys in the city.

Rob (city attorney) read sections of the ordinance and said the measure will be codified as Chapter 78 in the city code. Council did not adopt the ordinance on March 24; a public hearing and second reading are scheduled for the April 14 meeting.