By Cathy Higgins
BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Petty Lane no longer belongs to the city of Bay Minette.
During its regular meeting Monday, the Bay Minette City Council voted to vacate the unimproved roadway, which is located west of McMillan Avenue.
The action is the second vote on the matter, which the council first considered at its Jan. 3 meeting.
“The City Council always holds two votes on issues that have a permanent nature,” Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery said during Monday’s meeting.
As previously reported, the request came when the residents brought to the council’s attention that the portion of land, which includes five parcels, has never been developed by the city.
“There has never been any formal dedication of the area for use as a public road,” the petition filed by Chason and Chason P.C. states. “The title to the area at issue has been clouded and defective since approximately 1901.”
“It’s time to clear this up,” Tillery said at the previous meeting.
According to the petition, the only people using the space are those who live in the area.
“The current use of the property is a wandering, narrow dirt road that has been used to access homes along the road for many years,” the petition states. “Upon vacation, the abutting land owners will convey to the city an express right-of-way easement for a 40-foot right-of-way.”
Prior to the council’s initial vote to vacate the property, a public hearing was held. However, no one from the audience spoke.
