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Commission briefed on controversial driveway/right-of-way vacation request; item moved to new business
Summary
A homeowner requested vacation of a southern right-of-way developed as a driveway; neighbors raised concerns about access to a drainage area used informally as a park. MAPC recommended approval; staff recommended further clarification and the item was moved from consent to new business.
County staff described a request to vacate a portion of a right-of-way that has functioned as a driveway and surrounded a large drainage area neighbors use informally as open space.
Scott (staff member) said the right-of-way is unusually wide and has evolved over time: a roadway on the north side, an unmaintained roadway on the south side and a central drainage feature many residents use “kind of as a park.” He said only one of the lots on the south side has a house; the others are vacant and a homeowner has requested vacation of the southern right-of-way that would otherwise have been developed as a road.
Neighbors learned of the vacation request and raised concerns about losing pedestrian access around the drainage area and how mail delivery and addressing would work for homes at the end of the driveway. Scott said the county and staff have discussed language for the vacation agreement to clarify where the public can access the drainage area versus private property.
The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission recommended approval of the full vacation request. Because of public concern and controversy, staff and the commission agreed to move what had been a consent item into new business for fuller discussion at the commission meeting.
No final decision was recorded during the agenda briefing; the item will appear in new business for formal consideration.
