Commissioners deny Fort Stecker alley vacation after Pleasant Township objects

The Seneca County Board of Commissioners moved to deny a requested vacation of an alley in Fort Stecker after county staff circulated a Pleasant Township email saying the township trustees “have no interest in vacating the alley.” Commissioners said legal guidance indicated the township must consent before the county can accept an alley vacation under Ohio law.

County officials told the board they had received written legal input citing Ohio Revised Code §5553.04 and comments from county counsel, and that Pleasant Township met and forwarded minutes on Feb. 4 stating trustees did not support the vacation request. After discussion, a commissioner moved to deny the alley vacation; the motion was seconded and the board recorded its approval of the denial in a roll-call vote.

The action followed public hearing continuation on the Fort Stecker request, during which commissioners acknowledged learning additional procedural and legal details since the earlier hearing. No permitting or alternate remedies were recorded during the meeting; commissioners said they would "look into our options" and that staff would follow up as needed.

The board did not adopt an ordinance to repurpose the right-of-way at this meeting. The transcript records commissioners thanking citizens who attended and noting the township's formal minutes as the primary evidence of the trustees’ position.