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Council rejects plan to vacate Old Orchard street after safety and access concerns
Summary
After a public hearing, the Colfax City Council voted down Ordinance 26-01 to vacate part of Old Orchard, citing potential landlock for back lots and emergency-access and insurance coverage concerns.
Colfax City Council voted down Ordinance 26-01 on Jan. 5 after residents and councilors raised safety and access objections to a proposed vacation of part of Old Orchard. Mayor Jim Retzer opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m.; Building Inspector Shawn McSweeney said the city received the application Oct. 23, 2025 and council had previously set the hearing by Resolution 25-22.
Tom Stirling of SynTier Engineering, speaking from 813 S Meadow, said vacating the street would block future development access. "On the surface this could make sense but would cause the landowners to lose access to their secondary lots, effectively leaving them landlocked," Stirling said. Diane Solbrack of 510 W Moller Road told council the vacation would prevent a future road to serve 14 platted lots on her property and remove access points to the back sides of houses on Ann Street. Greg Nolan of 806 W Summit described the corridor between Ace Hardware and Orchard as a congested, largely one-lane stretch and warned that Fire and EMS access could be compromised.
Councilors and staff questioned the feasibility of building a compliant street in the area. Public Works staffer Hammer noted the city code allows an 11% grade and said Ruble Street would not meet that standard; Councilor Schaefer said plans presented did not meet insurance and emergency-access requirements for a 20-foot roadway. "Our insurance provider would not support or cover a road that is less than 20 feet," Golden said during the discussion.
A motion to approve Ordinance 26-01 was entered by Councilor Mackleit and seconded by Councilor Huntwork. After discussion and a roll call, the motion failed (transcript roll call entries are inconsistent; recorded outcome: failed). No alternative plan or vote to table the matter was adopted at the meeting. The hearing record will remain part of the council minutes and councilors indicated future property negotiations or revised plans would be options for revisiting the issue.
