Parkersburg Municipal Planning Commission closes alleys

PARKERSBURG -- The Parkersburg Municipal Planning Commission on Friday approved the closure of two sets of alleyways while tabling action on another proposed alleyway closure.

The commission approved the abandonment of a right-of-way adjacent to 2612 Dudley Ave. and included multiple parcels.

The alleyways are 10-20 feet wide with the longest part of the alleyway around 412 feet, said City Development Director Ryan Barber who serves on the commission. He noted the commission's Land Use Subcommittee did approve the closure.

Applicant Harlan Bowser Jr. of Bowser Properties spoke to the commission about what they are planning to do.

"We are looking to better the city and to maybe do a future development on the property," he said. "I am not sure exactly sure what yet, but in the future it will be something positive for the city.

"That is why we would like to have the alley closed for that reason."

No one from the public spoke in opposition to the proposal.

Barber said there were two parcels that could end up landlocked which the commission would be opposed to. Bowser agreed to allow a 10-foot wide public right-of-way along the northeast part of the property for people to gain access to those tracts.

Members were grateful to Bowser for being willing to allow that.

Bowser said there was a driveway there that could serve as the right-of-way, but at a point there after there is a cliff face.

"It would cost a lot to open that roadway up," he said. "I would be willing to grant access to anyone who had property back there to be able to get back to it."

Commissioner John Reed said at some point in the past someone had effectively closed the alley as there are buildings built on the original alleyway.

"It is not (Harlan's) responsibility," he said, adding it would be difficult to get access to get to some of the other properties.

Officials said those mistakes were made years ago.

"(The city) has allowed new construction to go on over that alley at two different spots," Reed said. "I don't think we should ask (Harlan) to be responsible for something (the city) did years ago."

The commission's attorney, Rob Tebay, said no one is asking Bowser to build a road, but just maintain public access to the lots.

"Even if no one develops it, it is still possible the city may need to get in there and clean some places up," he said.

Reed proposed an amendment to relieve Bowser of the right of way requirement. Bowser said the right of way was not going to hinder anything he might do on the property now, however Reed pointed out that could change.. The amendment was voted down 8-2.

The commission voted 10-0 to approve the closure.

The commission tabled a vote on a proposal to close an alleyway made up of a number of parcels, 50-foot wide and 360-feet long, adjacent to 2808 Vaughn Ave. after commissioners realized there was another alleyway that the petitioner Fredrick Albright Jr. wanted to close adjacent to Clement Avenue. Officials said they had only looked at the access from Vaughn and needed to go back and look at the other right of way before they take any action.

Albright wanted to create a large wooded lot for the city and neighborhood to enjoy, Barber said.

The Land Use Subcommittee did not support the closure as originally presented, officials said, adding there were concerns about land-locking one parcel of land.

Albright spoke to the commission and said he wanted the closure adjacent from both Clement and Vaughn avenues.

Commissioners realized there was another part of the property they need to look at and tabled the motion as a result.

Commissioner Kate Marlow was absent during Friday's meeting.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com