Commission sets public hearing on alley vacation after debate over community benefits

Royal Oak — The City Commission voted 6-1 on Aug. 11 to set a public hearing on a petition to vacate a portion of a public alley at the southwest corner of 11 Mile and Campbell Road, prompting debate about whether vacation requests should require a community benefits package.

Commissioner Kolo asked staff and the petitioner to identify public benefits tied to vacating the alley, saying vacating public land can enable private gain and should return demonstrable public value. Planning and engineering staff explained the petition concerns a property owner who also owns adjacent parcels; the owner has not presented a finished development plan, and staff said there are no utilities beneath the alley though some DTE guy-wires and easements remain. Staff also said DPS flagged only minor plowing concerns and that the owner briefly mentioned EV chargers as a potential future use.

Commissioners discussed whether requesting community benefits is standard practice; staff said it has not been routine in the past. Commissioner Macy and others said setting a hearing allows the petitioner to present plans so the commission and public can consider benefits before any final vote. Commissioner Cole said he would vote no at a hearing if the applicant did not show sufficient public benefits; Commissioner Neville said he would prefer to see a specific plan before vacating any public property. Commissioner Macy moved to set the public hearing; Commissioner Herzog seconded, and the motion passed 6-1.

Under Michigan practice for alley vacations, the commission must publish notice and hold a public hearing at least four weeks after setting the hearing date; staff said they will advertise the hearing in the paper and notify affected property owners. The hearing will be the forum for public comment and for the commission to decide whether to vacate the alley or to decline the petition.