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Council rejects alley vacation after residents’ access concerns; item to return for third reading
Summary
Council failed to pass an ordinance to vacate an alley off Grand Avenue between Elizabeth and Main Street after a councilor opposed the move citing resident access and another abstained because of a school-board role; the measure will go to third reading.
An ordinance proposing to vacate a short alley segment off Grand Avenue between Elizabeth and Main Street did not pass its second reading at the June 23 Lima City Council meeting after councilors raised access and conflict-of-interest concerns.
Councilor Morton spoke against the vacation, saying residents use the alley for daily access and that, while he supported the school’s playground project, he could not support removing the alley. Councilor Glenn said he would abstain from the vote because he serves as vice president of the local school board. The clerk recorded 2 yes votes, 3 no votes and 1 abstention; the ordinance failed the second-reading vote and was set to return for a third reading.
Why it matters: vacation of public right-of-way changes how residents access property and can limit pedestrian or vehicle circulation; councilors said they wanted to ensure neighborhood access was not unduly harmed before permanently vacating the alley.
No public comments on the alley were recorded during the hearing. Council indicated the item will return for further consideration on third reading so additional neighborhood input and possible revisions can be considered.
