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Clatsop County outlines auction plan for surplus properties, sets minimum bids; commissioners press for cleanup and legal clarity
Summary
Property management presented a list of surplus and foreclosed properties the county intends to offer at public auction, proposed minimum bids for each, and options if properties do not sell; commissioners expressed concern about floodplain and HOA liabilities and asked staff to pursue cleanup options where feasible.
Clatsop County property management administrator Heather Chapman and retired staff volunteer Suzanne briefed the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on April 16 about proposed public auctions for a set of surplus and foreclosed county properties and recommended minimum bids.
Chapman said the auction list includes several properties with deferred maintenance or code‑enforcement concerns and reviewed individual parcels, recommended minimum bids and known constraints. Examples discussed in the work session included:
- 84375 Nordmark Drive: a 2.91‑acre parcel with a manufactured home and outbuildings; staff cited deferred maintenance, encroachments and a floodway location. Real market value in the packet was listed as about $291,042; staff proposed a minimum bid of $175,000. Commissioners discussed potential development limits because the parcel is in a floodway.
- 33731 U.S. Highway 26: a parcel with a tipped‑over mobile home visible from Highway 26; packet real market value about $64,604, minimum bid $35,000.
- 82080 Red Bluff Road: a dwelling with significant deferred maintenance and evidence of squatters; packet minimum bid $55,000.
- Fishhawk Lake lots (71906 North Shore Drive and 71459 Fishhawk Road): county has been paying homeowners‑association (HOA) dues on parcels it acquired; Chapman said the county has paid almost $63,000 in HOA fees for these properties since February 2017 and proposed minimum bids of $1 for each to transfer liability. Commissioners noted the county is pursuing legislation that could allow reimbursement of HOA payments if enacted.
- Roosevelt Drive / Seaside corner lot (two parcels): described as blighted and visible from Roosevelt Drive; staff proposed a $75,000 minimum bid. The city of Seaside has requested county action to help beautify the area.
Chapman explained auction procedures, stressed the county will sell properties "as is" and buyer due diligence is required, and said county code and ORS 275 guide the sale process. She noted options if properties fail to sell at auction, including private sale or sealed bids; the county may later offer a private sale at 15% of the minimum bid if an auction draws no buyers.
Commissioners expressed three recurring concerns: the cost and liability of remediating blighted or hazardous properties if the county retains title; the risk of selling properties that are in floodplains or otherwise difficult to develop; and the ongoing county expense for HOA dues on properties not selling. Commissioner Thompson urged expedited action where properties create neighborhood blight and public‑safety or quality‑of‑life impacts. Commissioner Webb cautioned against selling properties that are not developable because of floodplain constraints and recommended consulting county counsel about liability.
County staff and counsel explained that a categorization committee — which includes county counsel, planning, public works and property management — vets portfolios before auction and that the board may ask staff to return with adjusted minimums or cleanup plans. Chapman said several neighbors have already expressed interest in some parcels and staff will pursue auction and follow‑up options based on market response.
No formal board votes were recorded in this work session; staff said they would proceed to list properties for auction and report outcomes and any unsold property recommendations back to the board.
