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Groves Park Commons residents press Oakidge council for action on unpaved roads; legal complexity cited
Summary
Multiple Groves Park Commons residents urged the council to fix unpaved, non‑ADA roads and said a developer bond lapsed; residents said nearly $1 million in property taxes had been paid without road completion; council directed staff attorneys to pursue next steps and requested an executive-session briefing.
Oakidge — Several residents from Groves Park Commons told the Oakidge City Council during the appearance-of-citizens period that their neighborhood's unpaved roads have left people without basic access, safety and ADA‑compatible routes and asked the city to take immediate action.
"For nearly two decades ... we have collectively paid approximately $1 million in real estate taxes," resident Michael Martin told the council, urging the city to provide a clear path to pave the roads. He said residents had followed city guidance — attending meetings and submitting requests — but that progress stalled and they needed clarity and action rather than continued redirection.
Other residents described bond and ownership problems. "The bond was allowed to expire in 2018," resident Carl Matusvich said, and he noted commercial bank ownership of the roads and prior correspondence in which the bank said it would quitclaim the roads to the city. Resident David Ramba and others said the city had acknowledged oversight and that funds may be available to fix the streets.
Several residents emphasized safety and ADA access. Ruth Richie described the daily hardship of caring for a permanently disabled spouse with very limited mobility: "I cannot cross my street with him in a motorized wheelchair ... I can't even go to my mailbox," she said, urging immediate help.
City staff and council responded that the situation involves multiple legal and ownership questions. The city manager said the roads are owned by a bank, that a bond expired and that disagreements between development partners have resulted in mediations and complex legal claims. Council members asked staff attorneys to provide regular updates and requested an executive-session briefing so the council could discuss legal options with the city's attorneys.
Next steps: Council asked the city manager and legal department to be proactive in pursuing remedies, to keep residents informed, and to schedule an attorney‑briefing (executive session) as appropriate. Staff said they would relay detailed citizen comments to the attorneys and arrange follow-up.
