Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Street Seating topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council orders removal notice for unused ‘street seat’ at former Reddick & Wood site
Summary
After police complaints and neighborhood concerns about the vacant street-seat platform at the former Reddick & Wood restaurant, the City Council directed staff to give the permit holder 60 days to remove the structure or the city will remove it.
The Newberg City Council voted to require removal of a vacant “street seat” structure at the former Reddick & Wood restaurant if the permit holder does not remove it within 60 days.
The council acted after Community Development Director Scott Siegel and police staff described complaints about overnight camping, loitering, garbage and a recent warrant arrest at the location. Siegel told the council the street-seat permit is issued to the restaurant business, not the property owner, and that the structure has been associated with calls for service since its approval in 2016.
The issue before the council was whether to allow additional time for Reddick & Wood to identify a new tenant who would operate the seating, remove the platform immediately, or order the city to remove it. Siegel said the business requested a three‑month extension in December to seek a responsible party; police and some councilors said problems had increased since the business vacated the site. City Attorney James Walker explained the permit creates a license to occupy the right of way and that the owner remains responsible for removal, but that practical enforcement can require the city to intervene if the owner does not act.
Members of the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce urged the council to retain the pilot program generally and to support small businesses. Merrill Kunkel, director of operations for the Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber supports extending the pilot because it helps businesses and “improves Newberg’s overall livability.”
After public comment and deliberation, a motion directing staff to give Reddick & Wood 60 days’ notice to remove the structure passed. The motion also said that if the permit is transferred to a new tenant with evidence of use, the city would take no removal action. Staff was directed to return with implementation details, including the notice language and steps for removal and storage if city crews must act.
The council emphasized that the city’s first preference is voluntary compliance by the permit holder but asked staff and the city attorney to prepare a process that minimizes the city’s legal and storage exposure if removal is necessary.
