Resident seeks alley vacation near County Highway Garage; council outlines survey, notice and hearing steps

A resident identified in the record as David Wise asked the council to vacate an alleyway that borders the County Highway Garage. The council discussed next steps and the procedural requirements for vacating a public way.

Chair (Speaker 1) said the council was generally supportive and explained that, if vacated, the property would become the petitioner's and that the petitioner would be responsible for expenses. "So what we're saying is that we will forego it being the street and allow it to be part of your property," the chair said while outlining the concept of a conveyance subject to proper procedure.

Staff (Speaker 8) explained the formal requirements: the petitioner must provide a legal survey and description, pay for certified mailed notices to all adjoining landowners who could be affected, and the council must hold a hearing before passing a recordable ordinance vacating the street. Staff also cautioned that title and deed issues can complicate the process and that the petitioner should be prepared for survey and legal costs.

Council members discussed whether previous similar vacations had been simple and noted that prior attorneys' work on deeds has sometimes been inconsistent; the council asked the town attorney to advise on the specific survey and notice requirements and said staff would assist the petitioner in identifying next steps. No final action to vacate was taken at the meeting; the council offered procedural guidance and awaits the formal petition and required documentation.