Council postpones decision on Kitsap County right‑of‑way vacation after neighboring owner objects
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Summary
Port Orchard postponed action on a Kitsap County petition to vacate multiple alleys and streets after an adjacent property owner and counsel argued the proposal could impair vested property and easement rights; council asked staff to review new materials and consider the objection at the next meeting.
The Port Orchard City Council opened a public hearing on a petition from Kitsap County to vacate city right‑of‑way covering multiple alley and street sections, totaling about 38,641 square feet, as part of the county’s courthouse campus planning. Kitsap County offered proposed compensation that included $30,000 cash, transfer of Veterans Park acreage and special‑event parking on the county campus for city‑sponsored events.
Kitsap County Commissioner Oren Root testified in support, saying the vacation would support parking and the county’s courthouse project and emphasized intergovernmental cooperation. The city received a written objection circulated the day of the meeting from counsel for adjacent property owner John Lackey. Lackey’s letter and testimony argued the petitioner does not own all parcels described in the staff presentation, that the vacation could impair vested private ownership or easement rights, and that any taking would require just compensation under Washington law.
Given the late arrival of the written objection and legal materials, the mayor and several councilmembers said they wanted more time to review the submission and staff recommendations. The council agreed by consensus to postpone action on the adoption ordinance until the next council meeting so staff can research the objections and provide additional information to the dais and to the public.
