Council tables Second Street/Railroad Street vacation to verify property lines and turnaround access

Lock Haven City Council held a detailed public exchange Aug. 7 over an ordinance to vacate a portion of Railroad/Second Street. Property owner representative Mark Dwyer presented maps showing the area proposed for vacation and emphasized pedestrian and emergency access concerns. Several residents said the proposed change could prevent driveway turnarounds for large vehicles and might block access for neighboring parcels.

A resident, James (unnamed), told council he was worried about losing a usable turnaround: "So to close it down without it turning around, I think it's a little... I may not be able to use my property the same way," he said during public comment. Council members and staff discussed the original Price Addition plat and whether an easement recorded on the plat would preserve legal access even if the municipality vacated the street.

Because of those unresolved questions, a motion to table the ordinance for two weeks passed after a brief debate so city staff and the solicitor could confirm recorded easements and provide a GIS map of parcel boundaries. Council asked the city GIS technician and solicitor to prepare documentation for the next meeting to demonstrate whether property owners would retain a right of passage if the vacation proceeds.

The tabling preserves the applicant's ability to proceed at the next meeting while giving staff time to verify legal encumbrances and emergency-access constraints.