Live Oak council approves final reading to vacate unnamed alley after residents object to timing

The City of Live Oak City Council adopted Ordinance 15‑41 on final reading to vacate an unnamed alley lying south of Block 76 in the original town plat. Council Member (speaker 3) moved for final reading and the council approved the ordinance by voice vote.

Several members of the public spoke during the hearing. A resident (speaker 7) repeatedly objected to what they described as an accelerated review timeline, saying the application was being "pushed through" in two months rather than the customary three months and questioning why the usual public timing was not observed. City staff and the presiding official distinguished those procedural concerns from the specific land‑use action before the council, saying the alley vacation concerns a particular segment and does not itself change zoning.

City manager George Curtis explained the alley’s history and municipal practice: many alleys were originally platted for services such as garbage and deliveries, and the city’s ordinance process for vacating such rights‑of‑way differs from zoning or land‑use amendments. Curtis described the required ordinance readings and the Planning & Zoning Board’s role for zoning changes, and he emphasized that if zoning were being altered a separate advisory step would apply.

Raymond Rupple, a resident at 418 Wall Street, told the council the strip identified in the notice lies in the middle of his backyard according to his survey records and is separate from the adjacent property described as '406.' He asked council members to note the property lines and pointed to an historical survey he cited.

After hearing public comment and staff explanation, the council voted to adopt Ordinance 15‑41 on final reading. Staff noted the alley segment terminates near Haines Street by the fire department; following adoption, Public Works was directed to record the conveyance and update right‑of‑way maps as required.

The city attorney/presiding official also reminded participants that multiple upcoming zoning agenda items would be handled as quasi‑judicial proceedings, explained the evidentiary limits of such hearings, and cited the statutory requirement that ex parte communications be disclosed to the record.

Quotes "You guys trying to push it through." — Resident/Commenter (speaker 7) "So this was platted back when alleys were used for garbage and milk and ice and all those kind of things." — George Curtis, City manager "That'll be what you're talking about is in the middle of our backyard." — Raymond Rupple, 418 Wall Street

Next steps Public Works will record the vacatur/conveyance and update mapping; several zoning/land‑use items on the agenda were held for separate quasi‑judicial hearings that require sworn testimony and Planning & Zoning recommendations.