MAGNOLIA SPRINGS — The Magnolia Springs Town Council moved one step closer to setting a policy for street-vacation requests last week. That’s because during its regular April workshop, the Council created a committee to research the issue.

The need for such a committee stems from a request that Magnolia Springs residents James and Ann West and Tim and Sandra Russell made asking the town to vacate a 200-by-40-foot portion of Palm Street. They had brought the issue to the previous administration last fall and submitted a written petition in January. During two public hearings last month, residents argued for and against the request. Then the Council was asked to postpone taking action by the Wests and Russells’ legal counsel, which it complied with.

But last week, Mayor Ken Underwood pointed out one thing that should be considered.

“How does this benefit the citizens of Magnolia Springs?” he asked, adding that granting this request could close a portion of public access to water. “This particular plot does provide potential access to the river.”

Underwood added that town residents not living on waterfront property should also be provided access to that water.

“We represent everybody,” the mayor said.

Because this is a new issue for the young town, the committee formed last week was tapped to research policies and fees that other municipalities have in place regarding requests to vacate property.