County begins vacation process for alley at Mitchell Road; 90-day public protest period applies

The St. Francois County Commission voted Oct. 7 to begin the formal vacation process for an alleyway that provides access to properties along Mitchell Road and Mitchell Pass, including parcels listed as 1330 Mitchell Road and 5378 Mitchell Pass.

Commission staff member Sean Lincoln, appearing on behalf of property owner Karen Pittman, described the alley as a driver alleyway that serves neighboring parcels and said the petition asks the county to vacate a portion of that alley so ownership lines can be clarified. "We will be vacating," Lincoln said, describing the portion under petition and the need to post notices.

Under the procedure described at the meeting, county staff must post a notice in the alley and at two additional public locations; the vacation process formally begins when the county posts notice and runs for a 90-day waiting period during which members of the public may file protests. If no valid protests are filed, the commission will take formal action at its next meeting, which county staff indicated will be Jan. 5.

Commissioners asked questions about lot sizes and whether the affected strip on one property is buildable. A staff speaker noted the parcel in question contains only a narrow strip (described in the meeting as roughly 10 feet wide) and that, if sold, it would allow contiguous ownership to the adjacent property owner. County staff said they plan to consult the property owner and proceed with the required notices.

The motion to start the process was made and seconded and carried by voice vote. County staff were directed to post the required notices and return the matter to the commission after the statutory notice period.