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Council approves ordinance to abandon unimproved Old Town alley; sewer easement retained
Summary
Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2026-07 to vacate a 20-foot unimproved alley in Block 9 of Old Town, splitting the right-of-way between adjacent lots; staff said the public sewer easement will remain and neighboring owners voted in favor.
The Argyle Town Council voted Jan. 20 to abandon a 20-foot unimproved alley in Block 9 of the original town plat, approving Ordinance 2026-07 after a public hearing with no speakers.
Staff presented background showing the alley is unimproved, in Old Town zoning, and that the majority of adjacent lots are owned by Marcus Doyle; Doyle and the remaining adjacent owner, Sy Zimmerman, submitted letters supporting the petition. Planner/staff (introducing the item) said the town has abandoned similar alleys in Old Town in the past and that this abandonment is intended to allow adjoining property owners to absorb the unimproved right-of-way to facilitate future building on narrow historic lots. Staff emphasized that existing public-utility easements for the town sanitary sewer would remain in place and would not be vacated.
Council procedure: the mayor opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke. Council member (motion) moved to approve Ordinance 2026-07 and a second was recorded; the council voted in favor by voice vote and the motion carried.
What it means: the town will split the 20-foot alley and allocate 10 feet to parcels on each side, subject to preserving the public sewer easement; staff said there are no current plans to improve the alley as a public thoroughfare. Property owner Marcus Doyle was present to answer council questions.
What’s next: staff will process the ordinance paperwork and update plats/records to reflect the abandonment and the retained utility easement.
