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Pierce County Council approves vacation of a portion of 186th Avenue East near Orting
Summary
The council unanimously approved Ordinance O2026-502 vacating an undeveloped segment of 186th Avenue East (Eldridge Fraser County Road) after staff said the right-of-way is not needed for future roads; the applicant paid a $15,000 appraised-value payment and a $1,500 application fee.
On March 17, 2026, the Pierce County Council voted 7-0 to adopt Ordinance O2026-502, which vacates an undeveloped portion of 186th Avenue East (also referenced as Eldridge Fraser County Road) in the Orting area.
Planning and Public Works staffer Tom Swanson briefed the council on the petition, saying the county engineer determined the right-of-way segment is not needed for the county’s future road network. Staff classified the segment as a type E right-of-way (not tax-titled) and said a required $15,000 payment of the appraised value had been received from the applicant on Feb. 25; a $1,500 application fee was also paid. Swanson explained there are standard reserved easements the county retains on roadway vacations and that planning and public works will record an additional separate agreement (an easement) on title when the ordinance is recorded and the vacation becomes effective.
Swanson noted adjacent property owners include Nash Cascade to the east, which declined to join the action, and county-owned property to the west that is not included in this proposal. Planning and Public Works completed fiscal and community impact analyses and held a public hearing at the Economic and Infrastructure Development committee, which forwarded the proposal with a do-pass recommendation.
During the council’s public comment period, Roxy Giddings said she had opposed the project in committee but, after hearing staff clarify that the vacation did not include entrance into the creek or river, described the proposal as "probably an okay idea." Council member Morrell supported approval, saying the access on the property is unique and praising the work between county and property owners. The clerk recorded seven ayes, zero nays, and the council adopted the ordinance.
Staff said the additional easement agreement and the ordinance will be recorded on title before the vacation becomes effective. The council did not identify any immediate fiscal impact beyond the recorded payments and standard processing.
