Oregon City Commission denies permit to restore fence that encroached on Sebastian Way right‑of‑way

The Oregon City Commission voted unanimously on Oct. 15, 2025, to deny Resolution 25‑32, a request for a revocable right‑of‑way permit that would have allowed a property owner at 19534 Sebastian Way to restore a six‑foot cedar privacy fence that encroaches on city‑owned right‑of‑way.

Public works director Dana Webb told commissioners the fence sat much closer to public utilities than the applicant’s materials suggested and said fencing the area complicated access to valves and manholes used to operate and maintain the city’s water and sewer systems. Webb also said a second water line in that area is scheduled to start design this fiscal year as part of the WIFIA transmission main Phase 3 project and that construction would follow design work.

“The fence obstruction and the right of way does not provide a public benefit. It presents potential site‑line obstruction for vehicles exiting off of Sebastian Way onto Malala Avenue, and it creates maintenance issues,” Webb said, summarizing staff’s…