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Council approves vacation of portion of 10-foot sewer easement at 4365 W. Van Geesen to allow multifamily development
Summary
West Richland council approved Resolution 11-25 to vacate a portion of a 10-foot sewer easement (file VACA003-2024) to facilitate future multifamily development at 4365 West Van Geesen; staff reported no objections from utilities and public works approved the change.
The West Richland City Council on Feb. 4, 2025, voted to vacate a portion of a 10‑foot sewer easement at 4365 West Van Geesen to allow development of a multifamily building, passing Resolution 11‑25 after a public hearing.
Planner Alicia Ransom told the council staff had routed the completed application to franchise utilities, gave reviewers 15 days to comment and received no objections; she added that Public Works approved the proposed vacation. "The staff recommends that the council approve the vacation of the utility easement as it will not unduly jeopardize the health, safety, welfare, or public good," Ransom said during her presentation.
At the public hearing, Shane O'Neil of Clover Planning, representing the applicant TTF West LLC, explained the requested change. "The 10 foot sewer easement ... occupies the 10 to 20 foot distance from the front property line... We're severing the easement because ... that would free up a little bit of extra room for this building to add the design features that are required by the design guidelines," O'Neil said. He added the change would help fit a multifamily building onto a triangular parcel while preserving a necessary fire lane at the rear.
Councilmember Richard Bloom asked whether the vacation would affect the sewer crossing at the irrigation canal. Staff replied that the portion being vacated was a section of frontage not needed for the sewer extension across the canal, and that the easement had been larger than necessary when deeded by the prior owner to allow sewer extension to Austin Drive.
No members of the public opposed the vacation during the hearing. The council moved, seconded and approved Resolution 11‑25 by voice vote.
The vacation proceeds to administrative implementation by city staff and the applicant; staff did not list additional council direction in the meeting record.
