Parkersburg Planning Commission holds meeting
Steve Mowish speaks to the Parkersburg Municipal Planning Commission during Friday’s meeting to discuss the abandonment of a right-of-way and alley along his property which was approved on a seven to one vote. (Photo by Candice Black)
Joan Florence spoke during the public hearing at Friday’s Parkersburg Municipal Planning Commission meeting. She petitioned for the abandonment of an alley along her property which was unanimously approved. (Photo by Candice Black)
Steve Mowish speaks to the Parkersburg Municipal Planning Commission during Friday’s meeting to discuss the abandonment of a right-of-way and alley along his property which was approved on a seven to one vote. (Photo by Candice Black)
Joan Florence spoke during the public hearing at Friday’s Parkersburg Municipal Planning Commission meeting. She petitioned for the abandonment of an alley along her property which was unanimously approved. (Photo by Candice Black)
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PARKERSBURG -- The abandonment of two alleys and three rights of ways were approved Friday by the Parkersburg Municipal Planning Commission.
Three items were brought to the commission, the first a petition to abandon an unimproved portion of Kenner Street. Adjacent property owner Joan Florence said she plans to fence in that area.
"What I have issue with right now is with drug people (who) keep coming up through the street. I just think it will improve my property and improve the area," she said.
The commission voted unanimously to abandon the right-of-way under the condition that the city maintains a utility easement.
Steve and Debra Mohwish petitioned the city to abandon a portion of an unimproved right of way along Sixth Avenue and Locust Street and to abandon an alley known as Central Drive. The right of way and alley are between property owned by the Mohwishes and the Apostolic United Pentecostal Church.
City Planner Janney Lockman and the Parkersburg Utility Board recommended keeping the alley open due to the planning of a drainage improvement project for the area by the West Virginia Department of Highways projected to take place within the next two years.
"Nobody has touched this property or this part of Locust Street from Central back to Sixth Avenue. We've maintained that for 45 years," Steve Mohwish said. "The Department of Highways says they're going to do something; it's been 12 years, and they've not done a thing."
After discussion and deliberation, the commission voted 7-1 for the petition to be approved, with Development Director Rickie Yeager opposed.
J&M Development LLC petitioned for the abandonment of a 12-foot right of way along Neal Avenue.
Business owner Jay Jones said the process of obtaining that space started in March. The business has completed one building, and they want to build another nearby.
"If we build to our property line, it's 24 feet to the street," Jones said. "You've got another three feet from the sidewalk. That is not being maintained by anyone."
If they obtain 12 feet, there will still be a 15-foot distance from the edge of the building to the sidewalk.
"We've already worked with the gas company to bring utilities to both of these lots," Jones said. "All I want to do is squeeze the location and to utilize all the land that's there."
If obtained, Jones said they're going to maintain the area and put bushes beside the building.
It was a unanimous vote to abandon the right-of-way.
All three items will go to Parkersburg City Council for final approval.
Candice Black can be reached at cblack@newsandsentinel.com.