Council orders immediate right‑of‑way abatement at 35 Cook Avenue after years of complaints

The Depoe Bay City Council voted to direct staff to abate the public right‑of‑way at 35 Cook Avenue and to request Lincoln County Sheriff's Office assistance for the abatement action. City staff presented a summary of enforcement history and cleanup work that has been done at the property. Staff said the property owner has made some progress with cleanup but that right‑of‑way conditions remain. The staff report described approximately 45 cubic yards (an estimated 225 kitchen‑tall trash can equivalents) removed to date and identified remaining bulky items and potential personal effects staff has left in place at the owner’s request. Staff briefed council on three options: immediate abatement (issue a final notice and hire a contractor with a 10‑day notice), delay abatement to August 31 (extend compliance deadline), or pursue a broader property abatement and nuisance declaration requiring a public hearing. The staff presentation flagged safety concerns and the need for a sheriff’s deputy to be present because of past threats associated with the property. Samuel Bates, a neighbor, testified during public comment that the issue has persisted for years and said repeated deadline extensions and continued dumping have left neighbors frustrated. Councilor Kelsey LaSalle moved “let me direct staff to immediately do the abatement to 35 Cook Avenue and seek assistance of Lincoln County Sheriff's Office on the date of the event.” A second was offered. Council voted in favor and the motion passed. Staff said the city will hire a contractor if needed, will attempt to bill the property owner for abatement costs and, if unpaid, place a lien on the property; staff warned the city may incur legal and contractor costs and will require sheriff presence during abatement. Staff also cautioned that city public‑works crews would not perform the contractor abatement for safety and liability reasons and that the city must expect additional legal and administrative costs to pursue enforcement and recoupment. The council decision orders the immediate abatement of the right‑of‑way at 35 Cook Avenue; any subsequent enforcement or lien process will follow the city’s established collection and legal‑assessment procedures.