Council tables downtown pedestrian-alley ordinance after business owners and Heart of Lebanon clash over dumpsters and access

Lebanon City Council held a lengthy public discussion April 14 about a proposed ordinance to designate three alleys adjacent to the downtown square as pedestrian walkways and to limit traditional alley uses such as long-term dumpster storage and unregulated loading. Rather than adopt the ordinance on second reading, the council voted to table it and requested staff return with proposed revisions.

Kevin (city staff) and city attorney/staff read Ordinance 20 25-10, which would add specific downtown alleys into the municipal code as pedestrian-only alleyways and allow the Board of Public Works and Safety to authorize limited concessions such as refuse storage under defined conditions. Staff said the intent is to protect investments in alley activation projects and pedestrian safety, citing the 2016 downtown action plan and more recent Alley Oop public improvements.

During public comment, several downtown business owners and commercial property owners urged the council to adopt a more flexible…