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 final language attempts a compromise intended to keep the front portion pedestrian-friendly while preserving space for deliveries.

Key actions and outcome - The council voted to remove the eastern alley from the pedestrian designation (motion adopted earlier in the meeting; amendment recorded as passed by voice vote). - The council approved a subsequent amendment defining the eastern alley as pedestrian for the first 60 feet from the east edge of the Meridian Street sidewalk and making the remaining portion a loading and unloading zone for businesses on the east side of the square; that amendment passed by roll call on the motion to add the 60-foot loading zone language. - The ordinance as amended was then adopted by the council.

What councilmembers and participants said - Councilmember Sandra Jasonowski (motion-maker on the 60-foot loading-zone language) described the change as the “compromise” that had been discussed previously and said it aimed to protect both pedestrian space and business operations. - Several councilmembers and the mayor noted precedent downtown for setting a back-from-sidewalk pedestrian zone (they referenced an 85–90-foot example, the “Chophouse alley”). - A business statement read into the record on behalf of Casey and Abby (owners) urged approval of a compromise that would close the alley at a western bollard near the gas meter, honoring deliveries to rear areas while keeping the front portion pedestrian-friendly; the statement said the business had invested in downtown and had the support of neighboring businesses. - Missy Krulik of Heart of Lebanon and other downtown advocates supported protecting pedestrian alleys, citing the downtown action plan and previous public/private investments in alley activation. - Several residents and parents, including representatives of the ballet school and parents of students, urged caution and stressed child safety when deliveries coincide with class times.

Technical and clarifying details discussed - The ordinance language adopted designates the first 60 feet measured from the east edge of the Meridian Street sidewalk as the pedestrian portion; beyond 60 feet the alley serves as a loading/unloading zone for east-side businesses only (the council discussed—but did not adopt—alternatives such as 75–90 feet). - Participants cited a 26-foot trailer length and a ballet-studio door located about 50 feet from Meridian Street as operational reference points for deciding the appropriate separation. - The alley is platted at 23 feet wide; city staff and counsel said utility easements and access to gas and electric meters remain unaffected by the ordinance.

Next steps and oversight - The council kept existing Board of Works approvals and Historic Preservation Commission requirements for alley closures, murals or other physical modifications in view; Sierra Messenger proposed and the council briefly discussed adding explicit council oversight language in the ordinance, but legal review was requested before substantive changes to code authority were made. - Councilmembers said they were open to revisiting the ordinance if safety issues arise after implementation.

Votes and procedural notes - The amendment creating the 60-foot loading zone was adopted after a motion and second; a roll-call was taken for that amendment with affirmative responses recorded for multiple council members. The final adoption of the ordinance as amended was taken by voice vote and recorded as adopted.

Ending The council framed the vote as a compromise intended to preserve downtown activation, pedestrian space and needed delivery access for east-square businesses. Staff and legal counsel noted that questions about authority and related code provisions would be reviewed and could return to the council for further amendment.