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Council moves easement vacation to second reading after concerns about piecemeal approvals
Summary
The Ephrata City Council opened a public hearing on an easement vacation for a single backyard lot and, after members raised concerns about piecemeal approvals and effects on nearby utilities and access, voted to move ordinance 25-12 to a second reading rather than adopt it immediately.
The Ephrata City Council on a voice vote moved ordinance 25-12, an easement vacation request for a rear lot-line 10-foot easement, to a second reading after discussion about whether to handle the entire block rather than a single lot.
Staff member (Speaker 6) told council the request arose after code enforcement discovered a shed placed within an exterior 10-foot easement during site-plan review; the property owner had applied for an easement vacation and a building permit was pending. Staff recommended approval of the single-lot vacation but said the PUD did not object and noted the presence of nearby utility lines, including a distribution line and a larger transmission line farther back.
Several council members (Speakers 7, 4 and 1) cautioned against approving a piecemeal vacation that could create inconsistent property rights across the block. Speaker 7 asked whether staff could notify adjacent owners and pursue a blockwide petition; Speaker 6 said the city could do that but it would require separate public-notice steps and could delay the current applicant by about two to three months. Speaker 4 also raised long-term access concerns, noting the area currently has limited egress and that arterial connections are planned in the comp plan.
Council debated the trade-off between expediency for the current owner and a more comprehensive approach that would notify and potentially include neighboring lots. With those concerns on record, the council chose to advance the ordinance to a second reading so staff could pursue outreach and the council could consider the broader block option at a future meeting.
The public hearing was opened and closed with no members of the public speaking on the item. The council’s procedural vote to move 25-12 to a second reading was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The ordinance will return for further consideration at a later meeting, allowing staff to notify other property owners and clarify any utility, road-planning or school-district interests before final action.
