Baker City Council on July 22 approved Ordinance 34-12 to vacate 10 feet on both the north and south sides of Baker Street between 16th and 17th streets, transferring the vacated right-of-way to adjacent property owners.

The petition was filed by property owners abutting the portion of Baker Street in the Stewart's Second Addition. Planning staff reported the parcel and signature information and said the planning commission recommended approval with a condition to preserve an alley entrance/exit onto Baker Street. The petitioner, Rob Brewer, was on Zoom from Idaho; his wife, Alethea, attended in person and was available to read his letter if needed.

The ordinance text shown to council noted the petition and the required mailed notice to property owners within 250 feet; council held the public hearing, read the ordinance in full and advanced it through first and second readings by title. Councilors voted in favor, and staff said the third reading would be scheduled for the next council meeting.

Why it matters: street vacates change property boundaries and deed interests and can affect future development and access. Planning staff and the council emphasized the need to preserve existing alley access as a condition of approval.

Details: staff reported the existing right-of-way width is 80 feet and the vacation will reduce that segment to 60 feet overall. The ordinance lists tax-lot references and records that consent forms from affected property owners were on file. The council voted to approve the ordinance’s first and second readings; the third reading was scheduled for the next meeting.

What’s next: the ordinance will be returned for final reading and adoption at the next scheduled council meeting; staff will record the vacation and vest title to the adjacent owners if the ordinance is adopted on third reading.