Council gives initial approval to vacate downtown alley

Mar. 18—ANDERSON — A divided Anderson City Council has given tentative approval to vacate a downtown alley.

The council last week passed through two of three required readings of the ordinance to vacant the alley between 12th and Chase streets at the request of Jerrard and Lisa Oakley.

The council voted 5-3 for approval of the request, with council members Ollie H. Dixon, Tiffany Harless and Joe Newman casting "no" votes.

The council will consider final approval at its April meeting.

The Oakleys requested the vacating of the alley last year, but it had been tabled by the council since May. Lisa Oakley said the couple wants to vacate the alley only on property they own.

Harless said she drove the alley and wasn't sure whether a fire truck could pass through it.

"Alleys are not meant for use by the general public," she said.

Harless asked about a property in the 300 block of West 12th Street where the alley might be used. Lisa Oakley said the property is at the corner of two alleys, so access should not be a problem.

Oakley said the couple plans to put gates on both sides of the vacated alley, which prompted a concern about fire department access from Councilman Jeff Freeman.

Jerrard Oakley said the gates would be unlocked.

Greg Winkler, executive director of the Anderson Economic Development Department, noted that alleys are designed for access to adjacent properties and not intended to be a thoroughfare.

A local resident asked why the Oakleys could not put a fence around both their properties and keep the alley open.

"Why would we want to (have) two fenced properties?" Lisa Oakley asked. "We plan on planting trees on the property."

Paula Dalton, who resides in the 1800 block of Lincoln Street, spoke against vacating the alley. She said closing the alley would cause harm to other area residents.

Dalton said she uses the alley for trash pickup and to walk to the downtown area.

Cheryl Horning was concerned the council might be setting a precedent by vacating the alley and was concerned about future requests.

"Downtown alleys lend to the historic designation," said another resident who lives along 12th Street. "It's a public right of way. I use that alley."

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.