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Neighbors back request to vacate alley at 200 Virginia Drive; council to vote July 13
Summary
At a June 22 public hearing, homeowners and neighbors told the Homewood City Council they support vacating a triangular alley adjacent to 200 Virginia Drive to resolve title issues and allow modest home improvements; council scheduled a vote for July 13.
Homewood — Neighbors urged the City Council on June 22 to vacate a small triangular portion of alley adjacent to 200 Virginia Drive, saying the space functions as private yard rather than a public right-of-way and that recent stormwater work bisects the alley.
David Page, owner of 200 Virginia Drive, told the council he and his family have maintained the area since buying the home six years ago and want the city to vacate the strip so they can make modest improvements without pursuing a variance. "We're humbly asking y'alls consideration to have Homewood uh vacate a portion of the alley," Page said, adding that neighbors who abut the segment signed notarized petitions and that the statutory valuation formula would require a payment to the city.
Wyatt P., the city's chief building official, summarized the legal description and explained the state-law valuation formula applied to the abutting properties produced a valuation of $22,093.93 for the portion proposed for vacation.
Several neighbors spoke in support. Attorney Scott Frederick said the plan preserves utility and access easements and would "consolidate and logical[ly]" resolve a paper alley that clouds title, and he emphasized that "no loss of access for utility or other services will occur." Neighbors Phil Amthor, Susan Sutton, Brandon Bass, Mary Hinton Yelverton and Carolyn Dunkel each described the area as effectively part of homeowners' yards and expressed support for the petition.
Council members asked procedural questions after hearing public comment: Wyatt P. said the property would need to be re-surveyed if the council votes to vacate and that any proposed improvements must meet current zoning and building regulations. Councilors were told that nothing would be "grandfathered" automatically if the lot line changes; permits and zoning review would apply.
The mayor closed the public hearing after seeing no speakers in opposition and said the council will consider the item for a vote at its July 13, 2026 meeting.
What’s next: Council will take formal action at the July 13 meeting; approval would require payment per state valuation formula and a re-survey to incorporate the area into the private lot.
