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West Richland council approves multiple utility and access easement vacations, corrects 2006 recording error
Summary
Council approved three separate easement actions May 6: two utility-easement vacations (files VACA‑001‑2025 and VACA‑002‑2025) and one 30‑foot access-easement vacation (VACA‑003‑2025). Staff said the actions correct an earlier 2006 drafting error and that public works and utilities reviewed the requests.
The West Richland City Council on May 6 approved three separate easement vacations affecting properties in Willamette Heights and along Everett Street, including a remedy to a documented 2006 recording error.
Alicia Ransom, senior planner, presented the staff reports. For file VACA‑001‑2025, Ransom said the applicants, “Reese and Marsha Wasney,” requested vacation of a 30‑foot utility easement shown on the Willamette Heights plat at the corner of 50th and Collins. Ransom told council the city’s public‑works department and utilities raised no objections and staff recommended approval. Council approved the resolution by unanimous vote, with one council member recusing from that item because of property proximity.
A second item, VACA‑002‑2025, addressed an error stemming from actions in February 2006. Ransom explained that the 2006 process intended to reduce both 33‑foot and 30‑foot offers of dedication down to 10 feet, but an ordinance adopted at that time incorrectly omitted the 30‑foot easements. The omission created confusion for later building‑permit applicants. Ransom said the current action corrects that drafting error for properties at 5939 and 5889 Everett Street and will vacate portions of the 30‑foot easements on the southeast and west boundaries down to 10 feet while noting an existing 10‑foot easement recorded with short plat 2934 along the north side. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
The third action, file VACA‑003‑2025, was an ordinance to vacate a 33‑foot access easement along the south boundary of property owned by Reese and Marsha Wasney. Ransom said no utilities opposed the vacation but noted Benton REA requested a 10‑foot easement in two locations; she explained such a dedication must be provided during future development via short plat and cannot be granted through an easement vacation. Council approved the ordinance unanimously.
Ransom said two members of the public — Jonathan Harrison and Maurine Harrell — submitted written comments expressing concern that removing easements could limit future public or utility needs. She said public works reviewed the requests and recommended approval because the department judged the easements surplus to current and reasonably anticipated public needs.
Council discussion covered one packet error (an unrelated exhibit image inadvertently included) and clarifications about overlapping easements where short‑plat dedications already exist. Ransom confirmed to council that the approved corrections will be recorded at no cost to the property owners.
Actions taken - Resolution (VACA‑001‑2025) authorizing vacation of a portion of a 30‑foot utility easement for the Wasney property — approved (motion passed, recorded as unanimous with one recusal). - Resolution (VACA‑002‑2025) correcting the 2006 omission and authorizing vacation of portions of 30‑foot utility easements at 5939 and 5889 Everett Street — approved (motion passed unanimously). - Ordinance (VACA‑003‑2025 / Ordinance O8‑25) authorizing vacation of a 33‑foot access easement for the Wasney property — approved (motion passed unanimously).
Why it matters: the actions resolve a long‑standing recording inconsistency from 2006, remove surplus easement holdings the city and public works judged unnecessary, and clarify the record for future building permits and short plats.
