Commission recommends vacating 17-ft alley adjacent to Newtown Cemetery after ground-penetrating-radar finds potential graves

The Harrisonburg Planning Commission on May 14 recommended City Council vacate a 17-foot-wide undeveloped alley adjacent to Newtown Cemetery, forwarding a favorable recommendation by a 4–2 vote. The alley closure request was driven by Newtown Cemetery Trustees’ desire to preserve and expand burial space after noninvasive investigations indicated the presence of potential unmarked graves in or near the alley.

Staff recommended denial of a full alley vacation and offered two alternatives: (1) close only the portion of alley containing potential graves while reserving a pedestrian access easement of about five feet, or (2) close the entire alley but reserve a pedestrian easement of five feet through the grave-containing portion and wider access where vehicle use is needed. Staff emphasized the public-access function of the alley for several adjoining properties and noted evidence of pedestrian and vehicle traffic in parts of the alley.

Why it matters: Newtown Cemetery is a historic African American cemetery…