Lebanon Council narrows downtown pedestrian-alley ordinance, adds 60-foot loading zone

The Lebanon Common Council on April 28 amended and adopted Ordinance 2025-10, designating pedestrian alleyways in the downtown area but removing the previously proposed designation for the eastern alley and creating a 60-foot loading and unloading zone to serve businesses on the east side of the square.

Councilmembers took the ordinance off the table at the start of the meeting and debated two main changes: removing the eastern alley from the pedestrian designation and defining how much of the eastern alley would remain for loading and business access. The council amended the ordinance to remove the eastern alley from the pedestrian designation, then debated a separate amendment that would reserve the first 60 feet from Meridian Street for pedestrian use and designate the remaining portion as a loading and unloading zone for east-side businesses only.

Why it matters: the eastern alley runs past a new entrance to the Lebanon Ballet School and past utility meters, and business owners said they rely on the alley for deliveries. Ballet-school and resident speakers raised safety concerns for children entering and exiting the studio; business owners and downtown advocates urged protection for delivery access and continued commercial activity. The council’s…