HoldPHearing_StrandeRoadVacation

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS 2022 AGENDA STAFF REPORT AGENDA DATE: May 3, 2022 ACTION REQUESTED: Conduct a Public Hearing to consider the vacation of public right-of-way of a portion of Strande Road from mile post 2.66 to end of County Road. BACKGROUND: Strande Road extends south from Barnes Road (mile post 0.0) to the end of the road at mile post 3.61 at private property. For years, this roadway has been used by county residents to access surrounding areas for recreation. Previous ownership appears to have tolerated this use on their property. Recently the property changed ownership and the new ownership has indicated a desire to farm their property at the end of the road. Resolution 2013-088 designated Strande Road from mile post 1.47 to mile post 3.61 as primitive. Public Works recently received a request to maintain the roadway. This will result in significant cost and resources from Public Works. There is minimal existing roadway width as the road is bound on either side by a drainage and steep hillslopes resulting in little room to bring the road into full standard. Public Works has performed minor work on the roadway in the past supporting use for recreational access. With the removal of the recreational access the benefit of the roadway to the broader community no longer is met. Public Works proposes to vacate the roadway maintaining and providing an easement for the property owner to access. This will reduce expenditures on the road fund while allowing properties to access the parcels. The County Engineer and County Surveyor conducted research pursuant to the request and finds no reason denying the request for vacation. Once vacated, the land will become attached to adjoining properties and add to the taxable land mass of the County. INTERACTION: Public Works.