Council moves toward vacating Sitler

    The Washington City Council took a step in the direction of vacating a portion of Sitler Drive at the south edge of town at its meeting Wednesday night. The council had earlier assigned the Planning and Zoning Commission the task of investigating the vacation of Sitler Drive from South Avenue B to South Avenue E. The commission met last week and recommended the city vacate that portion of Sitler Drive provided improvements are made to West Tyler Street and South Avenue E.

    On Wednesday, the council voted 5-1 to approve the commission?s recommendations on the condition that the recommendations are acceptable to the Streets Committee and the Engineering Department. Russ Zieglowsky cast the only no vote.

    Zieglowksy explained that that he is personally in favor of the new school but that he had to follow the will of his constituents.

    ?I know a ton of people who have come unglued about the possibility of closing Sitler Drive,? said Zieglowsky. ?If we can find a way to keep it as a walking trail so the town can grow, I?m all for it. I?ve got to keep my personal opinion to the side when the overwhelming public opinion is to keep Sitler Drive open.?

    At the Feb. 17 council meeting, Washington High School Principal Shane Ehresman made a formal request to close the western half of Sitler Drive. The school district is in the process of planning a new high school with proposed facilities both north and south of Sitler Drive. Ehresman asked that the road be closed to ensure the safety of students who walk from one side of the road to the other.   

    Matt Miller, who chairs the Planning and Zoning Commission, addressed the council about the commission?s findings. The commission members agreed that access to Elm Grove Cemetery is important, and is one reason not to vacate Sitler Drive. They also agreed that the safety of the students and public is important, which is a reason for vacating the street. Miller added that the commission members believed it was vital to maintain a path for foot and bicycle traffic to and from Elm Grove Cemetery if Sitler Drive is vacated.

        Councilman Bob Shepherd said he agreed with the commission?s recommendations.

       ?I think it?s a good idea to keep open walking and bike traffic on the road,? said Shepherd. ?I also think we need to do something about Tyler and E Street because they are inadequate as it is.?

        Councilman Fred Stark was of the same mind, telling the rest of the council of the poor shape of the other roads in the area.

For the full story, see the March 4 edition of The Washington Evening Journal