Resident asks Vernonia council to allow parking on dead-end right-of-way, seeks vacation of parcel

At the Jan. 5 meeting, resident Adam Stretzty asked the council to allow parking on a dead-end right-of-way that currently serves only his property and to consider vacating the land. He said the right-of-way is overgrown, that he has paid to improve it with gravel, and that city planning told him he cannot build until a "legitimate road system is put in." Stretzty told the council he faces fines for parking on the dead-end and noted, "it's a dead end road that only goes to my property" and that he had paid to improve the alleyway.

City staff explained that planning requires frontage improvements for fire-truck access and said there is "the opportunity to do a reimbursement district" should the opposite parcel be developed, which could allow the property owner to recoup improvement costs. Staff offered to follow up directly with Stretzty and said staff would connect with the owner about options; the mayor indicated the council cannot make a final decision in the audience-participation portion and would refer the matter to staff for follow-up.