Council to consider quitclaim of alley to Washington County Transit after neighbors raise access concerns

City staff told the Hagerstown mayor and city council on March 18 they plan to introduce an ordinance next week to quitclaim a portion of an alley to Washington County Transit to allow future expansion of the transit agency's West Washington Street maintenance and administrative site.

Jim Bender and other staff described a multi-month process since October in which Washington County Transit sought the quitclaim because an alley divides parcels the county wants to consolidate for a long‑term presence at the site. An Orchard Hills Jehovah's Witnesses congregation that adjoins the site opposed an earlier version of the plan, citing lost access from Devonshire Road. Bender said the congregation and the county negotiated a new driveway and loop design, and the board of zoning appeals reviewed the revised plan without raising objections.

Bender told the council the county obtained written indications from the two other adjoining property owners that they had no objection to the quitclaim. "So at this point, I think that staff's recommendation would be to the council to go ahead with the quick claim," he said, adding that if acceptable, staff would introduce an ordinance next week.

Council members asked about loss of on‑street parking on Nottingham Road and sidewalk/vehicle overhang details; staff said site plans will address wheel stops, curbing or screening and that the city could consider re‑striping to recover a parking space. The council did not take a formal vote during the work session; staff planned to place an introduction of the ordinance on the regular meeting agenda for action.