City Commission declines to take action on alley petition

The Ponca City Board of Commissioners declined to take any action Monday night on a petition asking that an alley be closed in the 200 block of West Cleveland Avenue.

The petition seeking the closure of the alley was submitted by the owner of property at 214 and 204 West Cleveland Avenue, and 103-113 North Pine Street. He sought the closure so employees in those commercial buildings could park in the alley. City ordinance prohibits parking in a public alley.

In a previous meeting of the city Planning Commission, a divided vote sent the issue to the City Commission.

A public hearing was held Feb. 27 during a City Commission hearing in the absence of the property owner, because others opposing the petition were present. The property owner countered information in that hearing, saying certain complaints had been cleaned up.

After hearing the property owner’s presentation, members of the board declined to make any motion on the request, thus allowing the matter to die and leave the alley exactly as it is.