Planning commission considers sale of a "paper alley," council asks committee review of precedent

A planning‑commission report to Indiana Borough Council described a resident request to buy a so‑called "paper alley" behind an Oak Street property to create driveway/garage access. Commissioners and council members discussed the potential precedent of selling alleys and the need for a consistent process.

Commission representatives noted prior instances where requests were denied and said a standard practice is to split the alley along the center line and offer equal purchase opportunities to adjacent property owners. One council member warned that approving one request without a uniform policy could prompt many similar requests. "If we're gonna sell a paper alley, you have to make it equal to all the people that are joining it," a planning representative said.

Members suggested referring the matter to a committee (public works or community development) to develop a uniform approach, including whether purchases should require all neighboring owners’ consent and how to address existing garages or driveways that occupy portions of certain alleys. The planning commission also reported forwarding zoning‑map changes to MBI for public review and reiterated a regional housing‑study request sent to county commissioners that has not yet received a response.

Council did not take final action on the alley sale request; members instructed staff and the appropriate committee to examine precedent and return with recommendations.