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Council adopts ordinance vacating portion of Paradise Park Road to accommodate Cowlitz Tribe development
Summary
Ordinance 2024-17 to vacate a portion of the old Paradise Park Road alignment passed unanimously December 11 (4–0, one excused). Staff coordinated easement retention with Clark PUD; tribal representatives and an attorney spoke in support.
The La Center City Council on Dec. 11 adopted Ordinance 2024-17 to vacate a segment of the old alignment of Paradise Park Road, a final step in a right-of-way vacation process initiated in November.
Community-development staffer Brian Cass told council the vacation would retain access and utility easements for the city and Clark PUD and said the parcel’s narrow shape and existing overhead power lines limit its standalone buildability. Staff estimated ongoing maintenance costs if the city retained the right-of-way would be about $9,300 per year for mowing and could rise to an estimated $23,000 annually if litter or homeless encampments required additional cleanup. Cass also referenced a recent appraisal range for comparable right-of-way vacations in the area.
Attorney Steve Hornston and Dean Reynolds, a Cowlitz Tribe representative, spoke during the public hearing in favor of the vacation. Hornston said the tribe’s acquisition of adjacent parcels and construction of a new roadway had made the old alignment unnecessary and that vacating it would allow the abutting parcel to be useable in combination with adjacent land.
Council member Casper moved to approve Ordinance 2024-17 vacating the specified portion of Paradise Park Road; the motion was seconded and the council approved the ordinance by roll call: Fox — yes; Casper — yes; Boyle — yes; Leija — yes; Cervini — absent, excused. The ordinance passed and staff will proceed with the administrative steps required by state law for right-of-way vacations.
