But in some circumstances city elders will allow groups of property owners to extend their property to swallow up a laneway, which usually provides an added six feet-or-so of extra garden or storage space in their backyards.
I can't recall the precise details of this arrangement, but this program was explained to me about a decade ago, so I'm assuming the same rules apply. But if a sufficient number of residents sign on to the process, the city, or borough, generally accepts it.
If anybody better acquainted with the process has an angle on this, please chirp in on the comments section, as I'm a bit rushed to actually make calls right now to get the goods on this.
Every so often the city decides it doesn't want to maintain an alley anymore. It offers those whose property touches the alley the chance to claim it.
ReplyDeleteThe city holds a referendum of everyone on the block that will be affected -- both sides of the alley.
Then you need a unanimous vote in order to expand.
If one person wants to keep the alley (say he's got a driveway back there or something) it stays.
-Kevin