How to request vacating a public alley in Lock Haven: council outlines process

Lock Haven — During public comment on Nov. 13, resident James Timaney asked whether two neighbors can have a city alley vacated if only one attends a city meeting and claims the other agrees.

City staff answered that the only party that can vacate a public alley is the city and that private agreements between property owners do not substitute for the city’s process. Staff said the city advertises a public hearing in the newspaper (multiple consecutive publications for street vacations), and the public hearing is the venue for anyone to object. The county assessor’s office is notified of the city’s action so deeds and assessments can be updated as appropriate.

“You would make a request to city council and send that to my attention, and then we have different city staff who review that before it goes to council for their consideration,” staff said. “Public right-of-way can’t be vacated without a public hearing.”

Staff confirmed the city does not send certified letters to all neighbors as a routine step; the legal notice in the newspaper satisfies the statutory notification requirement for third-class cities under Pennsylvania law, staff said. Where a property owner’s deed is amended after a vacation, the county assessor’s office would be the place to determine whether tax obligations or deed language change.

The exchange clarified that an individual cannot simply present a notarized statement claiming the absent neighbor consents without the city’s formal process; staff said the council will investigate and require the advertised public hearing before proceeding.