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Committee forwards alley vacation request behind 22 West Whitlock to council without recommendation after neighbors disagree
Summary
A request to vacate and convey an 89‑foot section of an unbuilt alley behind 22 West Whitlock drew objections from a nearby medical office and was forwarded to City Council without a recommendation so the full council can review owner interests and a viewers' committee report.
A request to vacate and convey an approximately 89‑foot‑by‑14‑foot section of a city‑owned alley behind 22 West Whitlock was forwarded to City Council without a committee recommendation after neighbors and affected parties expressed differing views.
City planner David Stewart presented the request. The alley segment is an unbuilt, unmaintained "paper alley" that has not been traversable and was originally dedicated with the subdivision in the early 20th century. The applicants (property owners at 22 West Whitlock) previously obtained council approval for a similar request that later expired; the current request is slightly larger and would allow consolidation of the alley parcel into the homeowner's lot so an existing shed could remain in place.
Stewart said Planning Commission recommended denial. The city received a written objection from a tenant or representative of 36 West Whitlock (a medical office) saying they opposed the vacation; the property ownership status for that lot required clarification. At the meeting the homeowner explained he had cleaned and maintained the alley informal and sought to consolidate it to avoid ongoing blight and trespass.
Councilors and staff discussed site geometry and neighboring ownership. Several committee members said vacating right of way over the objection of an adjacent property owner would be atypical and that a viewers' committee would inspect the site and report to Council if the vacation moves forward. Committee member Councilor Fox said she was concerned the requested area extended behind parcels that are not the applicant's and preferred a solution that splits any vacated area among adjacent owners rather than granting a single parcel a large swath.
The committee voted to forward the petition to City Council without recommendation; Council will consider the request and the viewers' committee process, including a public hearing and additional outreach to impacted property owners, before making a final decision.
