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HomeMy WebLinkAbout022 09 CC', pw "? ti 1d.110'1 T(ffi5J STATE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY OF JEFFERSON In the matter of } } } } } RESOLT.ITION NO. 22-09 Resolution to deny the Intent to Vacate Portion of Garden Club Road, per Resolution 68-08 County Road #585809 WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners has reviewed a road vacation proposal, submitted by resolution of intent to vacate, through Jefferson County Department of Public Works; and WHEREAS, on January 23, 2009, the Jefferson County Hearing Examiner held a public hearing on the proposed road vacation; and WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Hearing Examiner considered testimony of the public, comments from applicable departments, agencies and offices, and the reports from the Jefferson County Engineer and Jefferson County Department of Community Development at the public hearing; and WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Hearing Examiner recommends that the subject portion of Garden dub Road should not be vacated; and WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners considered said Hearing Examiner's Report of the public hearing and his recommendation to not vacate said portion of Garden Club Road and hereby adopt the Report of the Jefferson County Hearing Examiner dated February 6, 2009. NOW BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, in compliance with Jefferson County Code 12.10 and Jefferson County Road Vacation Ordinance No. 05-0924-01, that Jefferson County shall not vacate the public right of way lying easterly of Mile Post 0.31, to the terminus of the roadway located approximately at Mile Post 0.34, lying in the NW 1/4 of Section 9 and the SW 1/4 of Section 4, Township 30 North, Range 1 East. W. M., and adjacentto parcels APN 921092014 and APN 921043007. ADOPTED THIS 20th DAY OF April ,2009 1'1 \' '( C (J. t.( ,', , J..","'",. '< ~.;; -1.:...: ':;";~~ ' . '-. ('. , <of( '~." ~f t I~~W: · ".. \~ ' 'i.'~\ -.{ '\i:l'. .\ j II ."" , . . SEAll..........).- -.? .... I.::~.) J 'I \, )<,:,., A TrEST: ~~~ I I rna L. De aney ~erk of the Board OFFICE OF THE HEARING EXAMINER JEFFERSON COUNTY REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION CASE NO.: ROAD VACATION THROUGH A RESOLUTION OF INTENT FOR A PORTION OF GARDEN CLUB ROAD PROPONENT: Jefferson County Department of Public Works SUMMARY OF REQUEST: The proponent is requesting a road vacation for a portion of Garden Club Road as described herein. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATION: It is hereby recommended that the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners not vacate said portion of Garden Club Road. . PUBLIC HEARING: After reviewing the Jefferson County Department of Public Works and examining available information on file with the application, the Examiner conducted a public hearing on the request as follows: The hearing was opened on January 23, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. Parties wishing to testify were sworn in by the Examiner. The following exhibits were submitted and made a part of the record as follows: SEE ATTACHED INDEX LIST WILL BUTTERFIELD, right-of-way representative, appeared and testified that the Board of County Commissioners is requesting the vacation. He introduced two letters from and on behalf of the Brown Trust objecting to the vacation. The Jefferson County engineer will not support the vacation based upon such objections. PAT SEAVOY appeared and testified that she is the president of the Nordland Garden Club and agrees with the County's petition. The road terminates 50 feet from their east 1- Exhibit "N , property line. The road is owned by the Garden Club and the Brown Trust. She referred to a previous quiet title action successfully pursued by the Garden Club. Negotiations resulted in a reciprocal easement for parking unless their parcel is sold to a private property. The Garden Club granted a road easement for the Veitenhans' parcel to the east. The road vacation will not deny access to any properties. They want the vacation due to nuisance. Mr, Veitenhans is using the access to haul items to his field. He drives fast, very close to their front door. She has concerns about illegal uses of Mr. Veitenhans' property. He has stored items directly adjacent to the property line and allows someone to live there illegally. He now claims adverse possession. If the vacation is approved, they desire a sign advising of the end of the County road. She was not aware of the Brown Trust letter until its introduction today. RALPH RUSH appeared and testified that he does a lot of work at the club and has noted piles of material on top of the road. The club does not use the road beyond the building itself. The Garden Club has provided an easement. GREG VElTEN HANS appeared and referred to the quiet title and testified that no one challenges the Garden Club's ownership, but he and previous owners of his parcel have used the road for 70 years to provide access to the corner of his property. They have made trails across the right-of-way. He stored items behind a tree line which eliminated visibility from the Garden Club. He did not ask for an easement across the north side of the club's property, and doesn't have to prove his right to use the property for access. They want to use the property for parking, but they still need access. He believes his use fully compatible with the Garden Club. He has two children ages six and eight and does not drive recklessly. MR. BUTTERFIELD reappeared and testified that the County received no notice of the quiet title action and was not a named party. The public interest cannot be vacated. RODDA HEINZINGER appeared and testified that the Garden Club used a real estate attorney and they are sure that he named all required parties. MARGARET WOOTAN appeared and testified that she asked the County to maintain the road, but the County said it was not their property. The club brought in gravel to maintain the road. MR. VElTEN HANS reappeared and questioned why the road stopped short of his property line. No one spoke further in this matter. The Examiner left the record open for the parties to attempt to reach agreement regarding the vacation. The hearing was concluded. NOTE: A complete record of this hearing is available in the office of Jefferson County Public Works' Department. 2- FINDINGS. CONCLUSIONS AND DECISION: FINDINGS: 1. The Hearing Examiner has heard testimony, admitted documentary evidence into the record, and taken this matter under advisement. 2. Appropriate notice was provided. 3. This request is exempt from review under SEPA. 4. Garden Club Road, a Jefferson County public road, extends east from SR-116 (Flagler Road) for approximately .3 miles to its terminus at the Nordland Garden Club parcel. Garden Club Road is a paved road maintained by the County and constructed within a 40 foot wide right-of-way. 5. At the west property line of the Garden Club parcel and near the west property line of the parcel to the north owned by the Lucille M. Brown Trust, the right-of-way changes to a "usage right-of-way" with a gravel surface. Since probably the 1930s the County has maintained a 12 to 15 foot wide, gravel road which extends 158 feet east of the improved right-of-way. The gravel road terminates on the Garden Club parcel approximately 52 feet from its east property line. 6. The Board of Jefferson County Commissioners submitted an application to vacate the "usage right-of-way" lying easterly of milepost .31 of Garden Club Road. The Nordland Garden Club strongly supports vacation of the usage right-of-way. The club uses the parcel for parking. 7. Mr. Greg Veitenhans owns the parcel of property abutting the Garden Club's east property line. Mr. Veitenhans submitted letters opposing the vacation and also appeared at the hearing and testified in opposition to the vacation. However, subsequent to the hearing the Garden Club granted Mr. Veitenhans an easement across its property in the area of the usage right-of-way and Mr. Veitenhans withdrew his opposition. 8. Prior to the date of the hearing both the Garden Club and the Jefferson County Department of Public Works believe that the Lucille M. Brown Trust also favored the road vacation. However, prior to the commencement of the hearing on January 23, 2009, Mr. Will Butterfield received faxed letters from Mildred L. Northup, Trustee, and from Bill Perka, a real estate agent representing the Trust, objecting to the vacation. The Trustee asserts that vacation of the usage right-of-way could affect access to the Brown Trust's 30 acre parcel. Mr. Perka advises that the Brown Trust has placed the parcel on the market and that it is highly probable that a new owner will subdivide it. 3- 9. Mr. Butterfield advises that the Department of Public Works will not support the vacation unless all property owners agree. While the Garden Club and Mr. Veitenhans agree with the vacation, the Brown Trust does not. Following conclusion' of the January 23rd hearing, the Examiner left the record open for two weeks for the Garden Club to see if it could reach agreement with all parties regarding the vacation. The Garden Club was evidentially unable to reach agreement with the Brown Trust which continues its opposition. 10. The site plan showing the location of the usage right-of-way proposed for vacation reflects that much of the parcel is located on the Brown Trust parcel. Only the eastern 24 linear feet is located totally on the Garden Club parcel. 11. The parcel proposed for vacation is located in the Rural Residential:5 zone classification of the Jefferson County Code (JCC) and in an aquifer recharge area and Coastal SIPZ (Saltwater Intrusion Protection Zone). The parcel slopes downward from west to east from elevation 116 feet to 112 feet. The Transportation Element of the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan does not identify the right-of- way as a proposed bicycle zone. 12. Section 12.10.080 JCC requires the Examiner to hold a public hearing on all petitions for road vacations,review said petitions in accordance with the criteria set forth in JCC 12.10.110, and provide a written recommendation to the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners to either grant or deny the petition along with conditions of approval. Findings on each applicable criteria set forth in JCC 12.10.110 are hereby made as follows: A. Based upon recommendations of approval from Jefferson County Departments, the proposed road vacation complies with the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan and applicable plans, policies, and ordinances. The Department of Community Development (DCD) has reviewed the request and found the vacation in compliance with the Transportation Element of the comprehensive plan. B. The usage right-of-way presently serves as access forthe Nordland Garden Club and can serve as access to the Lucille M. Brown Trust property. The neighbor to the east, Greg Veitenhans, has also used the right-of-way to access the northeastern corner of his parcel. However, an intervening portion of the Garden Club parcel separates the usage right-of-way from Mr. Veitenhans property line. The vacation would not impact the Garden Club nor Mr. Veitenhans property. However, the vacation could impact the Brown Trust parcel by eliminating a potential access thereto. C. East Jefferson Fire and Rescue has reviewed the petition and has "no issues with the proposed vacation". Therefore, the vacation will not impair the effectiveness of fire, medical, law enforcement, or other emergency services. 4- D. The right-ot-way does not presently serve a utility corridor and neither Public Works nor DCD recommends retention ot utility easement. Puget Sound Energy has no objection to the vacation request. E. The remaining right-of-way cannot effectively serve as a trail or pathway since it terminates in the eastern portion of the Garden Club's parcel. Furthermore, the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has determined that the usage right-of-way has no significance to parks and recreation and therefore does not object to the vacation petition. F. The right-ot-way proposed for vacation does not abut a body of salt or freshwater and is not zoned for industrial purposes. G. The proposed vacation will not landlock any parcel of property as both the Garden Club parcel and the Brown Trust parcel have access onto the improved portion ot Garden Club Road. The Brown Trust parcel appears to extend to East Marrowstone Road which would provide additional access. 13. The Board of Jefferson County Commissioners waived the appraisal and land compensation requirement as set forth in JCC 12.10.120. 14. The Nordland Garden Club asserts that a quite title action brought by the club granted full ownership ot the right-of-way to the club. However, neither Jefferson County nor the Lucille M. Brown Trust were named as parties in said action. While the Examiner has no authority to interpret quiet title judgments, the judgment is not likely valid against unnamed parties. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The Hearing Examiner has jurisdiction to consider and decide the issues presented by this request. 2. The petition for road vacation does not meet the criteria set torth in JCC 12.10.110(2) as it could interfere with access and circulation within the Brown Trust parcel. Furthermore, the Department of Public Works does not support the vacation based upon the objection ot the trustees of the Brown Trust parcel. 3. A large percentage of the road proposed for vacation is located on the Brown Trust parcel, and theretore the vacation would affect said parcel more than the Nordland Garden Club parcel. 5- . . RECOMMENDATION: It is hereby recommended that the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners not vacate the usage right-of-way of Garden Club Road lying easterly of milepost 0.31 and located in the NW quarter of Section 4 and the SW quarter of Section 9, T29N, R1 E, W.M. and adjacent to parcel nos. 921092014 and 921043007; provided, however, that should the Lucille M. Brown Trust change its position and favor the vacation, the Examinerwould then recommend approval of the vacation. ORDERED this 4th day of March, 2009. 6- .~ b N II . 0'> Q) I.... C) ..-- ~ .N ~:" UlO r~ CNO:J .,. OO'l..;;t 0 ~ ..co c:c c~ X ~ .......w 'i' Q)N<(n OWt!l ~ ......m. :3 ~ ~ ~ ~h . 'w "' f- If''l ll:t!l:)~"'~" S / > ~~., c::c I I t'!'~' <to Q~~~~i~ / / woz' 'T' / ~-O!c !. /\ II. ~ w t!l ..6< -f/~ ou>02 1--;--- lE>Cl:02 I ---- Q 0 (i; ~Q:: i' i1~~ ~~~ ...... 0 Ul I :J I.... f- ., ~~ ~ '8 III .- < ~2 Q -Ii <(~ ~ .ad aJ 1Il- ::) - 0: ... 0: .. u . z 1:1 w "- Q .,.: N' "'- .......d "'- <( . ~ i~ " ~, ~ I;jlll '-,l ,,~~ ;: _ .. t!s 0 0 8 II I- 0'" ..,j] ~ <( " Q)II&D xl U ~_ 'u~~1--.l. <( _ =- "- :J.cO :1 > I Z '-... ....J~n I; ~ ",Ill "" fr'" :J: ~ ......... .m--!I en ..... '1'-.... ii 2 t!s 0 ........./oz -i! ~ !~ u<w': ",','lH" ~t .. !i~.~ -' ' Q.~ > ~O::lo.r~ ~ <5- .i' ~ ~ Q~ ~~ ~i f:l I b N !..o ,....., :J <.::> - <:t--' U ~z OW cN'-"" Q)Q')~O "'0 ~x'" o N<(~ C) Q') t- ~ . '" 1:' '^ j ~ Q) ,....., u ~ :J ~ cD If)W ~I .0 Ul'" ._ <:t Q') >0 o~X I.... N<( t-- Q') t- '-'" I i I e i ;z:' I ~ L 8j ! I: ~' o o ..; !:: "'0-0 I.... 0 '" 01....0 "D 0 N oUO'l o 0 :S:~N O'l '0 co ....0 00 "8'" ~~ ,=> Ill' c: I o~ .c E c: <Il .,W ~ 'Q5A >~ ~ ~ '" :J III III ~C1'1t LaJZr--.- ~5c.:J "'zOo a.""'" ~~~ ~~~ ~"" . LaJ>-~ z"'''' :J>-::'ci ~~... """'z "':J"- Ill"" ~ i gn If ~J o i ,; !i I JEFFERSON COUNTY Department of Public Works NOTICE FOR A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO V ACATE COUNTY ROADS Garden Club Road, No.585809 All that portion of Garden Club Road No. 500909 defined as usage right of way lying Easterly of Mile post 0.31, lying in the NW 1/4 of Section 9, Township 29 North, Range 1 East. W. M., and adjacent to APN 921092014; being a distance of 0.03 miles and the terminus of said roadway. The net result of the proposed vacation is to shorten the overall length from 0.34 miles to 0.31 miles officially maintained on the County Road Log. ... 921043001 I ,I , "..,. r-\M.',y 9210920QJ r N1/2 ~w (Liss lAX fI '1.48.51) LESS R/W 7.12 o. ~- 921092024 TAX 51 ~ 6.750, .... ~~J" -~{., l'fc' , . IT ...... .' '... -<" ~. "'>',.. "*'.2,OsIio1s :, j oIti Department of Public Works Consent Agenda Page 1 of 1 Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Agenda Request From: Board of Commissioners Philip Morley, County Administrator Frank Gifford, Public Works Director April 20, 2009 Road Vacation Initiated by Resolution of Intent 68-08, for a portion of a County Road #585809, known as Garden Club Road. ob To: Agenda Date: Subject: Statement of Issue: The proposed Garden Club Road vacation was heard before the Hearing Examiner on January 23, 2009 and his Report and Recommendation is attached (Exhibit A). The Department of Public Works supports of the Hearing Examiner's Report Et Recommendation to not vacate that portion of Garden Club Road, described as follows: Garden Club Road #585809 defined as usage right of way lying easterly of mile post 0.31, lying in the NW 1/4 of Section 9 and the SW 1/4 of Section 4, Township 30 North, Range 1 East. W. M., and adjacent to APN 921092014 and APN 921043007; being a distance of 0.03 miles and the terminus of said roadway. Analysis/Strategic Goals: The Board is asked to consider the Hearing Examiner's Report and Recommendation and resolve to not vacate the subject portion of Garden Club Road. Based on the testimony presented at the hearing, not all affected property owners support the proposed vacation due to potential concerns related to property access. All affected property owners were provided a copy of the Hearing Examiners' Report and Recommendation and the Department of Public Works has not received indication from any property awners that they wish to pursue this matter further at this time. Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. Recommendation: The Department of Public Works, based on the Hearing Examiner's Report and Recommendation and testimony from adjoining land owners, recommends that the Board accept the Hearing Examiner's recommendation thereby denying the request to vacate the subject portion of Garden Club Road. Department Contact: Monte Reinders, County Engineer, 385-9242 Reviewed By: ~~6"~7' Date ~ ,~