Columbia City council voted to advance an ordinance that would vacate a small parcel of public right-of-way, moving the matter to a second reading at the council's next meeting.

During a public hearing, an applicant described the parcel as "a real small property" that "nobody accesses" and said vacating the way would give the household more backyard access. The applicant told the council the property has been fenced for about 25 years and said they plan to put up a new fence in spring and a small outbuilding later in the year.

Council members asked whether the driveway and access points crossed the parcel and discussed a prior curb installation that created an extra entrance. After public comment, a motion to approve the ordinance was made by Ryan and seconded by Jennifer; the motion passed by a recorded margin of 4 to 1. The council directed that the ordinance be scheduled for a second reading at the next meeting.

The ordinance number and full legal description were not specified on the record. The council's procedural next step is the second reading, where additional public comment or amendments may occur.