Planning commission recommends partial vacation of Montana Street right-of-way in North Bend

The North Bend Planning Commission on Nov. 17 recommended a partial vacation of an unimproved segment of Montana Street, concluding staff and public works concerns about underground utilities and future connectivity outweigh the applicant’s request for a full vacation.

City planner Palak Pande told commissioners the request (case file 627-25-000013) sought vacation of an approximately 80-foot right-of-way between Oak and Pine streets. Pande said sanitary and storm mains run primarily along the western section and must remain accessible for maintenance. “Staff recommends approval of the partial vacation only, allowing up to 16 feet to be vacated from each side, leaving a 48 foot wide corridor along the center line,” she said.

Applicant Brett Mault, who gave his address as 2588 Montana Street, asked the commission to approve a full vacation with easements so he could subdivide his lot and potentially create two buildable parcels. “If I could get the city street vacated, I could potentially split my lot into two with the size requirements and build two homes on that property,” Mault said, arguing the change would increase housing and tax revenue.

Neighbors and nearby residents urged the commission to prevent Montana from becoming a through street. Ian Washington, who said he lives at 2450 Montana, cited speeding and child-safety concerns: “We do not want Montana to go through…there’s tons of small kids that run through there and play in the street,” he said, asking the commission to avoid increased through traffic.

Commissioners weighed the applicant’s development arguments against public works’ technical concerns. Staff and public works described existing infrastructure and said full vacation would require easements and could obstruct an east–west connection and maintenance access. Staff noted consent requirements under state law had been met for this petition (24 of the affected signatures required were obtained), but recommended only a partial vacation to preserve the city’s transportation standard and utility corridor.

Chair Ron Koach moved to approve the application as recommended in the staff report, subject to conditions in the staff order; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote, with multiple ayes and at least one opposed. Pande and the chair confirmed the planning commission’s action is a recommendation to the city council; the final decision will be made by council and the applicant was told of appeal options and the 10‑day appeal period.

Key clarifications recorded in the hearing: staff indicated a 48‑foot minimum corridor should be maintained for a local street; underground mains typically require a roughly 15‑foot easement; the city’s recommendation would allow up to 16 feet to be vacated on each side while preserving utility access and circulation. The case will be forwarded to city council for final action.

The planning commission closed the public hearing and moved on to the evening’s work session.