Fife council unanimously approves boundary-line adjustment, accepts Salzman property for park use

The Fife City Council on April 8 unanimously adopted Resolution 2200 authorizing the city to accept a deed and execute a boundary-line adjustment (BLA) agreement for the Salzman property, a roughly 7.25-acre parcel on 70th Avenue East that was gifted to the city for park use.

Greg Grama, presenting for the city, said the property — described in council materials as 7.25 acres and bounded in part by Rapps Creek — includes a northern residence and outbuildings and a southern area leased to Strino Farms for berry cultivation. Grama told the council the deed restricts the parcel to park uses but allows a limited set of uses the city negotiated with the estate and neighboring property owners, including a temporary five-year continuation of agricultural use, use of the existing house as a caretaker’s residence or nature center, and temporary licenses for adjacent property owners to continue certain uses.

The BLA also resolves longstanding, informal boundary concerns with a neighboring Schlump family parcel: Fife will convey small triangular areas used historically by the neighbor in exchange for adjacent strips needed by the city, including a triangular area on the southwest that city staff said will facilitate an eventual park entrance and safer turning movements. Grama said the city negotiated a license rather than an easement to allow the neighbor to continue using a septic drain-field area until the neighbor connects to sewer; that license ends when sewer service is available. He also said the city agreed to allow a long-term resident limited use of a dirt turnaround area while she remains in the house.

Motion and vote: Councilmember Fagundes moved adoption of Resolution 2200; Councilmember Gathers seconded. The council voted in favor on a voice vote with no opposition and no abstentions; the motion passed unanimously. Mayor Kim Roscoe announced the resolution’s adoption.

Why it matters: the acceptance secures a donated parcel for park purposes while clarifying use rights for neighbors and preserving a short-term agricultural lease. Staff said the negotiated deed language is intended to prevent reversion to heirs for short-term nonuse while preserving public park options for the site.

What’s next: the council authorized the city manager to sign the BLA and deed documents and directed staff to proceed with the license and boundary adjustments as negotiated.