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Council directs staff to prepare ordinance to vacate portion of Western Avenue after applicant and staff reach agreement
Summary
Council unanimously directed staff to draft an ordinance to vacate part of Western Avenue at the request of Holmesley Properties, following staff-presented conditions that preserve utility access and allow limited gated access for the applicant with emergency Knox‑box entries and reserved city rights for special events.
The Moses Lake City Council on July 8 voted unanimously to ask staff to prepare an ordinance to vacate a portion of Western Avenue after staff and the applicant (Holmesley Properties) reached a set of agreement points covering utilities, maintenance easements and limited public access.
Vivian Ramsey, planning staff, summarized five points reached with Holmesley Properties: the city will abandon a 3‑inch force sewer and allow the applicant to take ownership of that facility; the city will retain an 8‑inch water main but requires a minimum 15‑foot maintenance easement; a 50‑foot portion of Western from Bridal will remain unvacated and may require paving and stormwater facilities; Holmesley may install a gate limiting public vehicular access at the intersection with Milwaukee Avenue if they provide a Knox box for emergency access; and Holmesley remains bound by a covenant to construct sewer within Broadway for its property portion.
Applicant Howard Holmesley told council the language gives him the right to gate the former street but that he does not guarantee he will do so; he described chronic theft and prowling that he said would be reduced by gating. Council members asked about two‑day notice for opening a gated access for special events and about alternate routes such as Milwaukee Avenue. Council member concerns focused on connectivity for local traffic and the potential effects of gating, while other members praised the applicant’s vision for redevelopment.
After discussion and with no public speakers, Council member [motion maker not specified in the record] moved that staff prepare an ordinance for council consideration; the motion passed unanimously. Staff said it would return an ordinance for council consideration, aiming for the Aug. 26 meeting.
