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College Place council approves deannexation for Hay Shaker Farm, annexation for housing and several infrastructure contracts
Summary
Council approved Ordinance 25-007 to deannex Hay Shaker Farm for conservation, Ordinance 25-008 to annex a parcel for duplex development, awarded a sidewalk contract and authorized a JUB engineering contract amendment; Blue Mountain Land Trust representatives described plans to keep Hay Shaker Farm in agricultural use.
The College Place City Council on Sept. 23 approved a set of motions covering land use and public works contracts.
Ordinances: Council passed Ordinance 25-007 to deannex 329 Southwest 12th (Hay Shaker/Hayshaker Farm) so the property can be held by Blue Mountain Resources LLC, a single-member LLC controlled by Blue Mountain Land Trust, and preserved for agricultural use. Amanda Martino, executive director of Blue Mountain Land Trust, said the organization purchased the farm to "protect the wonderful community asset" and intends to continue farming the property and place a permanent conservation easement on it as required by some funding sources. Fraser Moore, conservation manager, said the deannexation was a condition of conservation funding and will provide additional legal protection for farming activities. The motion to approve Ordinance 25-007 was made by Council member Petersen and seconded on the floor; the ordinance passed by voice vote.
Council also approved Ordinance 25-008 to annex 325 Northeast Della (a vacant parcel recently purchased by the Danielly/Handley trust) into the city and zone it single-family residential (which allows duplexes) so the owner can apply for building permits for two units. Staff and Council noted water connections and zoning requirements before approving the annexation by voice vote.
Contracts and amendments: Council awarded the TIB-funded Southeast Eighth Street (Birch–Larch) sidewalk contract to ESF Solutions for the low bid of $347,222 and authorized a 20% contingency for a total contract authorization of $416,666; the Council authorized the Public Works Director to sign notice of intent and contract documents. The contract award motion was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.
Council also approved a contract amendment with on-call engineering firm JUB for the Southwest Sixth Street and Birch Avenue improvements project, increasing the authorized engineering contract by $530,000 from $197,000 to $727,000 to cover additional design and on-site observation for stormwater and utility work. Staff said the amendment is covered by project funding, including low-interest public-works financing.
Why it matters: The deannexation secures Hay Shaker Farm for continued agricultural production and access to the Walla Walla Food Hub; the annexation and contract approvals advance housing and infrastructure projects that city staff said are expected to increase permit and utility revenue if planned development proceeds.
Next steps: Staff will execute the awarded contract documents; the county-level adoption process is separate for the farm deannexation paperwork and conservation easement requirements.
