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Port Clinton council tables Fourth Street alley vacation after residents raise notice and access concerns
Summary
Council tabled Ordinance 26-25, which would vacate a north–south alley between Lots 4 and 5 on Fourth Street, after residents and a neighbor cited Ohio Revised Code and urged study of traffic, utilities and access; the motion to table carried 4-2-1.
Port Clinton City Council on Oct. 28 tabled an ordinance that would vacate a north–south alley between Lots 4 and 5 in the original plat, after residents raised concerns about notice, access and whether the closure serves the public interest.
Resident Shannon Schlipf told council she learned only belatedly that her neighbor had asked the city to vacate the alley and feared waking up to a gate across an entrance to her property. "I was very shocked that my husband and I were not informed by the city that this was happening," Schlipf said, urging the council to preserve the alley for pedestrian use and neighborhood access.
Neighbor Daniel Maciejewski read provisions of the Ohio Revised Code (including ORC 723.01 and ORC 723.05) and cited appellate decisions to argue that a municipality may vacate a public right-of-way only when the action serves the public interest and is not for private convenience. He recommended denying or at least tabling Ordinance 26-25 and directing a traffic, access, disability-accommodation, property-value and utility impact review before any vote.
The applicant, Mr. Hatt, told council he had been approached by the city about vacating the alley and said he has experienced safety issues — citing stones hitting vehicles and near-misses by family members — and believes closing the alley would address those problems. City counsel (Ms. Shenker) described an alley as a street or highway intended to provide access to rear or side lots and not meant for through vehicular traffic, per the legal description provided to council.
During third reading, Councilmember Pat Hovis moved to table Ordinance 26-25 "until Fourth Street construction is completed," and Councilmember Cathy King seconded. The minutes record the roll-call results as: Mrs. Gillman, abstain; Ms. Phillips, no; Ms. Hovis, yes; Mrs. King, yes; Mr. Robinson, no; Mr. Tarolli, yes. The chair recorded the motion carried 4-2-1 and the ordinance was tabled.
The public commenters urged a fuller review before any final action. Maciejewski said a traffic study and direct review of access, disability accommodation, property-value impacts and utilities would protect the general interest of Port Clinton residents. The council did not schedule further hearings on the ordinance at that meeting; the ordinance remains tabled pending the stated construction milestone.
Next steps: Ordinance 26-25 remains tabled. Council members and residents signaled they expect additional study and discussion before the city proceeds with vacating the alley.
