Council approves vacation of alley on West High Street

The London City Council voted to approve Ordinance 106-26, vacating an alley on West High Street that runs the length of a single parcel. The ordinance was the subject of a public hearing prior to the vote.

During the public hearing the property owner, identified in the record as Sudeep Paul, told the council he intends to renovate the building, add two efficiency units in the rear and has obtained recent approvals for required building, plumbing and electrical permits. "I have an ordinance, vacating an alley on West High Street," Paul said, describing plans for new furnaces, drywall, siding and permits for electrical, HVAC and plumbing work.

Council members asked whether the alley vacation would affect rear access or parking; Paul said it would not, noting there is another alley behind the property and that he plans to provide sufficient on-site parking. The president noted the city had notified nearby property owners; she said she had spoken with a representative of Realty Income, which owns the Taco Bell building across the street, and advised that party to watch the hearing.

Later in the meeting, during the ordinance’s fourth reading, a motion to adopt was moved and seconded. Roll-call responses were recorded for each council member and the presiding officer announced, "Ordinance 106-26 has passed." The council’s vote completed the formal process to vacate that segment of alley; the ordinance record names Tom Boyd as sponsor.

The council did not attach additional conditions to the alley vacation in the hearing record. Next steps typically include filing the approved ordinance with the city clerk and updating property and right-of-way records so that permits and building work can proceed.