In a recent Yakima City Council meeting, discussions centered around the proposed vacation of a roadway linked to the Lincoln Avenue Extension project, raising concerns from local residents about safety and transparency in the development process.

Tom Duran of PLSI presented engineering plans for the extension, noting that the property in question was originally county land before being transferred to the city. Legal representatives clarified that the city now owns the property, which has been the subject of multiple hearings, including input from affected residents.

One significant point of contention arose from the testimony of local resident Michelle Hoff, who argued that the steepness of the road poses safety risks, particularly during winter months. Hoff challenged claims made by the developers regarding the road's accessibility, citing her own experiences with larger vehicles navigating the area. She urged council members to personally assess the road conditions before making a decision.

The developer, Justin Hellen of Columbia Ridge Homes, defended the project, stating that the road's grade had been reduced to meet city standards and that improvements were made in response to safety concerns raised during previous hearings. He emphasized that the development was designed to blend with the existing terrain and that the engineering had been conducted by licensed professionals.

However, Hoff's attorney, Reid Pell, expressed frustration over the process, highlighting that development had commenced before the official vacation of the road was approved. Pell argued that this sequence of events undermined the fairness of the hearings and raised questions about the motivations behind the development, suggesting that it could lead to financial gain for the developer at the expense of local residents' access.

The council's deliberations reflect a broader tension between development interests and community safety, with residents advocating for their long-standing rights to access the road. As the council weighs the implications of vacating the roadway, the outcome could set a precedent for future developments in the area.