Lubbock council approves first reading of petition‑driven alley‑paving ordinance

The Lubbock City Council voted unanimously April 28 to approve on first reading an ordinance that would let neighboring property owners petition the city to pave unimproved alleys and pay for the work through assessments.

Assistant City Manager Eric Regino told the council the proposal adds Article 36.08 to Chapter 36 of the city code to establish a formal petition and assessment process. "The petition itself ... it's going to need to be approved or signed by two‑thirds of the abutting property owners as well as 51% of the adjacent linear footage," Regino said, and the petition would carry a $500 filing fee.

Regino said the city’s engineering department would perform a feasibility study that examines drainage and utility conflicts and produce a 30% design to estimate probable cost. He recommended collecting at least 30% of the estimated assessments up front before proceeding to full design and bidding so the city is comfortable advancing capital work that would later be reimbursed by assessed property owners.

Payment options would include a lump sum or a 12‑month interest‑free installment plan; Regino said late or unpaid balances after that period would incur finance charges and liens could be applied for nonpayment. He added that if final project costs differ by more than 5% from the opinion of probable cost, assessments would be adjusted up or down to make the city whole.

Regino gave sample cost scenarios based on city reviews: one higher‑density alley near $71,000 (about $3,700 per lot if split evenly) and a lower‑density example shown as roughly $108,400 per lot, noting the figures vary by utilities and drainage complexity.

Council members asked whether new subdivisions are required to include paved alleys (Regino said recent UDC changes require developers to pay for alleys when provided) and raised concerns about utility cuts and contractor restorations. Regino said contractors must obtain right‑of‑way permits and restore work to equal or better condition, and the design process will seek to minimize future utility conflicts.

The ordinance includes a withdrawal mechanism: after petitioners receive a cost estimate, a petition can be revoked if one‑third of abutting owners or 50% of linear footage oppose moving forward, Regino said. He also stressed that the ordinance would not eliminate existing private options by homeowners or HOAs to design and construct alley paving independently so long as work meets city engineering and subdivision standards.

A motion to approve item 6.1 carried by unanimous voice vote.

The ordinance passed its first reading; additional procedural steps and any required budget amendments to front capital costs would follow before construction moves forward.