Commission hears public hearing on proposed vacation of Henry Street alley

The Springfield City Commission held a public hearing on a proposal to vacate a 40-foot public right of way on Henry Street that dead-ends at the DT&I Railroad tracks.

City planning staff told commissioners the applicant requests vacation of Henry Street from the center line of the first alley north of Edwards Avenue south to the north right-of-way line of the DT&I Railroad and said the owner intends to close public access to that stretch. "The 40 foot right of way dead ends at the rail line tracks near 1063 Henry Street," staff said. "The owner wishes to vacate as people with intention of using it as thoroughfare are caught in rail tracks." Staff added the city planning board recommended approval.

The issue matters to residents and to utility operators because Ohio Edison and Columbia Gas report facilities in the right of way. "Ohio Edison has overhead service facilities along this right of way, which include direct service lines for customers in immediate area," staff read from the utility's response. Columbia Gas reported a six-inch medium gas main in the proposed vacation area and said it will retain land rights for maintenance; staff said Columbia Gas plans to cross the railroad tracks nearby in the coming month. City planning staff recommended that any vacation preserve easement rights and that structures not be built over utility easements. "With heavy presence of public utilities in this right of way, it is recommended to not block access or build structures on this easement," staff said.

During questions, Commissioners pressed staff on public-safety issues. Commissioner Dr. Estrop said he had witnessed a vehicle stuck on the tracks at the dead end and asked whether neighbors had complained; staff said there were no complaints filed before the hearing. Commissioners also confirmed that if the section is vacated the city would no longer maintain it and that easement protections would remain for utility access.

A motion "that the communication be ordered received, recorded in the minutes, and filed" was moved and seconded and approved by roll call (Missus Brown; Dr. Estrop; Missus Houston; Missus Tackett; Mister Ruh all voting yes). The hearing record includes the published legal notice attached to the staff report; staff identified the notice as published in the Springfield New Sun on December 27, 2024.

The transcript does not show a final ordinance vacating the right of way being adopted at this meeting. The formal hearing record was received and filed; any subsequent ordinance to vacate the right of way was not specified in the hearing minutes available.