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After public hearing, Rush County commissioners vacate a section of alley in Manila
Summary
Following a public hearing, the Rush County commissioners voted to vacate a partially used and overgrown alley in Manila (identified in the petition as '496 B'), directing staff to record the vacation and update parcel records; neighbors raised access concerns during the hearing.
The Rush County commissioners voted to vacate a section of alley in Manila after a brief public hearing in which a petitioner and nearby property owners described the alley as overgrown, cluttered and not used for public access.
A resident who identified themselves during the hearing said the alley and the grass strip behind properties have been used informally by adjacent owners and are “no way it could ever be used for any reason whatsoever,” asking the board to approve the petition. Neighbors raised concerns about access for an adjacent property owner who uses the area as a functional alley; staff explained that the petition can be narrowed if necessary.
The board moved to vacate the segment listed in the petition (identified at the meeting as 496 B, described as running parallel to the northern border of specified lots). The motion passed by voice vote. Staff told the meeting that, by default, ownership of a vacated alley typically splits between adjacent property owners unless the board narrows the vacation by ordinance or recording instructions.
The board advised the petitioner on the next steps for completing the formal process. Commissioners did not record a contested vote tally on the motion during the meeting minutes; staff will proceed with recording the vacation and updating property records.
