Palouse residents seek to open alley

An alleyway in Palouse is the subject of a request by adjacent residents to be opened for vehicle travel and identified as city property. The lane between Alder and Church Street had been a subject of previous discussions by neighbors.

Homeowners Nelson and Pamela Duran spoke at the April 11 Palouse City Council meeting to advocate for the clear establishment of the alley.

“Somehow over the years it's evolved so it never gets used for vehicle use,” said Palouse Mayor Michael Echanove. “Adjacent property owners have probably taken liberty with that alley.”

The city council's street and sidewalks committee will meet with the neighbors and look into the matter.

“One size doesn't fit all for alleys,” the mayor said, who hopes an agreement can be worked out.

“It's a kind of meeting of the minds,” Echanove said. “We'll see where that takes us.”