Albany Council hears residents’ safety, maintenance concerns over Timberland mid‑block right‑of‑way; staff stops short of recommending vacation

At the Feb. 24 Albany City Council work session, residents of the Timberland subdivision urged the council to vacate a mid‑block pedestrian right‑of‑way beside their homes, saying the opened passage has caused safety problems, vandalism and a maintenance burden for neighboring homeowners.

Resident Ron Lucas told the council he and his family have lived adjacent to the corridor for 28 years and said, “I don't think the easement should be taken away.” Jesse Courtney, another nearby resident, told councilors the alley’s re‑opening has coincided with “a very high rate of crime” in the neighborhood and said his family would “very likely be considering moving out of Albany” if access is restored.

City Engineering Manager Aaron Heemstra told the council the pathway is not a private easement but a right‑of‑way that was dedicated when the subdivision was platted and that it was intended as a pedestrian connection to Knox Butte. Heemstra said the original plans called for a pedestrian connection because a full street connection would have violated block‑length standards; he added that feedback from neighbors has been split about whether to keep the corridor open.

Heemstra said staff does not recommend initiating a full vacation of the right‑of‑way at this time because the corridor currently sees substantial public use. Councilor Clegg said she observed multiple sections of fencing blocking portions of the right‑of‑way and asked whether staff was aware; Heemstra and councilors confirmed Albany Police Department code‑compliance follow‑up. Councilors were told APD Officer Christian Dell has directed residents who installed barriers to remove them after receiving complaints.

Councilors discussed possible capital improvements in the area if access remains, noting the Transportation System Plan (TSP) includes improvements to Knox Butte Road but that section of Knox Butte is under county jurisdiction. Staff said a rapid‑flash crosswalk and ADA ramps were among preferred safety improvements, but that such work typically exceeds $100,000 when ramps and associated construction are included and that larger corridor upgrades are years away — potentially a multi‑decade horizon under current funding assumptions.

Councilors and staff described three practical next steps: (1) continued code‑compliance enforcement where private barriers have been installed; (2) if residents want a formal vacation, the city can hold a public hearing once an application is filed (staff suggested it may be more appropriate for residents to initiate such an application); and (3) staff will continue to coordinate on possible capital improvements in the TSP when funding and jurisdictional approvals allow.