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Council closes 12‑foot alley at 530 North Main with easement safeguards
Summary
Council approved vacating a 2,700‑square‑foot alley adjacent to 530 N. Main Street, subject to reservation of public‑utility easements and a required survey; the Northeast Neighborhood Association and Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Project reported no objections while some residents urged caution about relinquishing public land.
The Harrisonburg City Council voted Oct. 14 to close a 12‑foot public alley adjacent to 530 North Main Street, a parcel the applicant owns on both sides of the alley.
Staff said the alley has historical roots dating back to the 19th century, is largely encumbered by the floodplain and floodway, and contains overhead power lines; staff recommended reserving public‑utility easements and a small maintenance area for drainage before final platting. The planning commission recommended approval with that condition.
Mike Martin, representing the property owner, clarified that Harrisonburg Electric requested a 5‑foot easement on either side of the poles (a 10‑foot centerline swath) and said the applicant will provide a survey to finalize boundaries. A representative of the Northeast Neighborhood Association thanked staff for outreach and said neighborhood members had no historic or preservation objections.
One resident urged council to apply a high standard for relinquishing public land and argued that paper alleys can function as protections for future public uses such as pollinator habitat; council members acknowledged that concern but supported the applicant’s request and the recommended easement conditions. The motion to approve the closing passed on a unanimous roll call vote.
