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Council approves first reading to vacate alley near St. Margaret's for school safety; orders market analysis
Summary
On first reading the council approved Ordinance 25-004 to vacate a 20-foot alley adjacent to St. Margaret's Church and School, with the petitioners proposing gates during school hours; council also voted to obtain a fair-market analysis of the 0.14-acre strip before final disposition.
Riverton City Council opened a public hearing and approved on first reading Ordinance 25-004 to vacate a 20-foot alley between Lots 1'6 and Lots 7'12 in Block 2 of the original Riverton plat, a change petitioned primarily by Saint Margaret's Catholic Church and School to enclose the alley for student safety.
Principal Megan Mosbrucker and a fifth-grade student, Eli Hill, addressed the council, describing plans to install gates at both ends of the alley that would be closed during school hours (approximately 8:05 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.) and open outside school hours. Mosbrucker said the school would pay fair market value for the land and would grant utility, emergency and sanitation access through recorded easements. She described an off-street queuing area for deliveries or garbage trucks; petitioners told the council they would maintain the alley.
Staff reviewed the statutory process for vacating right of way (Wyoming Statute 15-4-305) and said the petition satisfied the requirement that a majority of abutting property owners and a majority of owners within 300 feet had signed the petition (14 of 21 property owners, or 66%). The planning commission unanimously recommended approval.
Council members asked operational questions about emergency access, gate overrides, parking for community use of the parish gym and whether the alley would stay open at night. Petitioners and staff said emergency personnel would retain access (codes/overrides), utilities would have a 20-foot utility/drainage/private access easement, and garbage service would continue via coordination with the school.
Before final disposition the council directed staff to obtain a fair-market analysis of the vacated 0.14-acre parcel to establish value. Council member Eric Carr moved for the analysis; the motion carried. The alley vacation and replat passed first reading; the council will consider second and third readings (and any compensation action) at future meetings.
Votes and next steps
- Ordinance 25-004 (first reading) vacating the 20-foot alley and approving the replat: passed on first reading. Planning commission recommended unanimous approval. - Separate council motion: direct staff to obtain a fair-market analysis of the 0.14-acre parcel; motion carried. The market analysis will be provided to the council prior to further readings or final action.
