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Snoqualmie council denies petition to vacate downtown right-of-way, directs staff to seek appraisal
Summary
After executive session, the Snoqualmie City Council voted to deny a petition to vacate a city right-of-way tied to the River Trail project and unanimously directed staff to obtain an appraisal and explore purchase options for the private property.
Snoqualmie — The Snoqualmie City Council voted on May 12 to deny a petition to vacate a city-owned right-of-way that was under consideration for private use, then directed staff to seek an appraisal and explore purchase options for the property.
The procedural vote followed a brief executive session about potential litigation. Mayor Mary Ross said the council would consider three options: vacate the right-of-way, vacate with conditions, or deny the vacation. After returning to open session, Mayor Pro Tem Tim Holloway moved to deny the vacation; Councilor Christiansen seconded the motion. The council voted to deny the vacation unanimously.
Councilors who spoke during deliberations said the right-of-way remains in public use and retains infrastructure interests that weigh against vacating it. “We’re being asked to vacate a street in a public right-of-way,” Councilor Christiansen said, arguing that a right-of-way may only be vacated when it is no longer required for public use or when public benefit is minimal. Councilor Johnson said the property “has been in use by the public in the past” and continues to be used now. Councilor Cotton noted recent use by delivery services and an existing utility easement dated 1961.
After denying the petition, Councilor Johnson moved, and Councilor Benson seconded, a direction for staff to seek an appraisal of the property and to explore purchasing options. Councilors emphasized that the direction was to assess options and obtain an appraisal, not to authorize an immediate purchase. The motion passed unanimously.
Council members also noted site-specific constraints raised during discussion. Councilor Cotton said the dwelling at issue is located in the floodway, which presents limits for future use and potential acquisition. Councilor Christiansen and others said the city can continue working with the applicants on other options despite denying the vacation.
No timeline for the appraisal or a report back to council was specified in the meeting record. City attorney Dina Burke and city administrator Mike Chambliss attended the executive session, according to the council. The council cited RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) when moving into executive session to discuss potential litigation related to the petition.
Next steps: staff were directed to obtain an appraisal and explore purchasing options; the council clarified that any actual purchase would require further council authorization.
