The Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission recommended on July 10 that the city vacate an undeveloped platted alley. This decision would allow property owners to combine it with five parcels they own along East Vine Street.
According to the minutes from the meeting, Cathy Goeppinger informed the commissioners that she and her husband own the parcels along East Vine Street. They wish to combine their parcels and legalize their ownership of this land, which divides their property and has been in their possession for 30 years.
George Curry, who owns adjacent property and has lived there for 50 years, told the commissioners he believed previous owners were unaware of the alley's existence as a platted entity. He expressed no need for its development as an alley. City Engineer Brian Ball confirmed that no city utilities are located within this strip of land.
Law Director Rob Broeringer discovered a discrepancy between the original plat and the Goeppingers' survey, noting that measurements do not match. The Goeppingers' deed refers to an original plat recorded in the 1870s showing an alley. Broeringer suggested they should be allowed to vacate the alley but emphasized that measurement issues need clarification. He proposed tabling the request to give the Goeppingers time to address this with their surveyor. Commissioner Austin Swallow questioned why another municipal planning commission meeting would be necessary for them.
Ball suggested that city administration could review documents to ensure accuracy before forwarding the request to city council. Swallow's motion to recommend approval of vacating the alley, contingent upon a final administrative review, was approved by the commission.
