Patrons voice concerns about vacating street
Fifty-two people attended a public hearing June 24 at Hillsboro City Building to voice opinions and listen to comments on the possible vacating of Washington Street.
The meeting was conducted by city administrator Steve Garrett who told the group the purpose of the meeting was to hear public comment on the possibility of vacating Washington Street at the request of representatives of Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church.
The public hearing, which lasted about 30 minutes, was only informational, and representatives of the church have not made a formal request for the city to vacate the street.
"It is in the best interest of the city and church representatives to hear what members of the public have to say," said Garrett.
If the church makes a formal request to have the street vacated, that request will go before the city council. The council will make the decision.
Darrel Driggers, representing Hillsboro Mennonite Church, told the crowd, "Closing Washington Street from the frontage of the former church building to Vogt's lot is only one option we are considering for rebuilding."
City ordinance requires residences on the south end of the block have an entrance and exit in front of their homes; therefore, under the current circumstances that part of Washington Street would not be vacated.
Of those in attendance, 10 people voiced concerns, but none of those expressing concerns live in the immediate vicinity of the former church building.
Most of the concerns were about emergency vehicle routes and cutting off the natural flow of traffic.
According to Garrett, he received a letter from the city EMT crew citing their concerns about vacating the street. However, one EMS worker in the audience said he did not think closing the street would have a big impact on emergency services.
When asked about the designation of Washington Street by the state as an evacuation route in case of a disaster, Garrett responded, "I have not seen that plan."
When asked about emergency crews being told not to use Main Street, Garrett responded, "I have not seen that memo."
When asked if the city would consider a request from a private developer to vacate a street, Garrett responded, "We have to treat everybody equally."
"We want to thank the community for letting us know how you feel," said Bruce Porter, pastor of Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church. "Our desire is to explore this option. We do not want to harm the community. We value this community and the opinions of the community."
