Warren council vacates alley behind Fred’s Unique Furniture after neighbors and staff clash over safety and code compliance

Warren City Council voted to vacate a 20‑foot public alley in the Heath’s Fairview subdivision after a contentious public hearing that split residents and council members over safety, property access and building code compliance.

Assistant planning director Michelle Katapotis told the council the Planning Commission recommended approval of the alley vacation and explained the process: if the council approves, abutting property owners would receive half ownership of the vacated portion and the petitioner must complete a circuit‑court step to relinquish the public interest. Katapotis said, “This request is only for the alley vacation. Anything further would have to go through its own process, like zoning, planning or permitting.”

Neighbors said the change could lead to a fence that would block driveway access and would not resolve longstanding nuisance and safety concerns at the furniture business behind the alley. Catherine Makram, speaking for her father, said the family opposed any fence that would “restrict our way to go in our driveway.” Neighbor Laurie Harris asked whether vacating the alley would let the business create a barrier that would prevent residents from using their garages.

City staff and council members discussed the property’s long record of building and fire‑safety violations. Council questions focused on whether the applicant had current certificates of compliance and whether required fire‑suppression work was on track. A council member noted the business had made improvements but warned that unsafe conditions had persisted for many years.

Councilman [Noonan] and other supporters said the vacation could help the property owner address dumping behind the building and incentivize cleanup. Several council members urged careful follow‑up by inspectors to ensure that the alley’s transfer would not allow new hazards or illegal closures.

After an unsuccessful motion to table the item for 30 days to confirm fire‑suppression compliance, the council took a roll‑call vote: Miss Moore, Mister Dwyer, Mister Noonan, Miss McGee and Roganci voted yes; Mister Boiecki and Mister Lafferty voted no. The president announced, “Motion carries. The alley is vacated.”

City planning staff reiterated that vacating the alley does not automatically authorize a fence or other new restrictions; any fence, access agreement or permit would require separate review and approval through zoning, permits or the zoning board of appeals. The council said inspectors and code enforcement would monitor compliance and that the petitioner must complete circuit‑court steps to finalize the transfer.

The council’s action closes the city’s interest in the 20‑foot alley but does not immediately change physical access or permit fencing without subsequent approvals.

The council moved on to other items after the vote.