The alleyway running directly west of the First Baptist Church is being closed by the Town of Ponoka for a title transfer to the church. The alleyway runs between the church building and its parking lot.
The church’s request was given third and final reading at council’s Aug. 19 meeting.
The first reading of the resolution was March 25 and a public hearing was held April 22. A notification from Alberta Transportation revealed the request to close the alleyway would be rejected by Alberta Land Titles because legal land description was incorrect. However, a technical amendment was made by council.
“Bylaw 334 was amended as advised, sent to the Minister of Transportation to endorse, it was returned by the minister’s office to us,” said planning and development officer Betty Jurykoski.
The First Baptist Church wants the title of the alleyway as they have been undertaking the upkeep of it since 1964.
A letter written to Jurykoski from the church explained “Our group has maintained, cleared the snow, and kept this alley open for public use. We would like to consolidate the property for optimum use of our resources.”