Colfax discusses vacation of streets

COLFAX — The Colfax City Council held its regular council meeting on Monday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., speaking on two ordinances concerning Alley Lower, Upper A Street and Ann Street vacancies.

Mayor Jim Retzer opened a public hearing of Ordinance 24-02 to vacate Alley Lower and Upper A Street to Scott and Jane Steiger.

A council member asked if a survey had been done on the property.

A survey was looked for, but could not be found, and there was no record of a survey at the auditor’s office.

Council members discussed that the Steigers, owners of the property, had yet to receive a sum for the property valuation, which wasn’t sent out with the letters.

Discussion of the valuation concluded that each property owner would get 140’ by 10’, which is 1400 square feet, with a valuation of approximately $1.20 a square foot at $1,680, or put down by 50% at $840 per homeowner.

RCW 35.79.030 was discussed in relation to the valuation of the property.

The RCW states that “If the legislative authority determines to grant the petition or any part thereof, such city or town shall be authorized and have authority by ordinance to vacate such street, or alley, or any part thereof, and the ordinance may provide that it shall not become effective until the owners of property abutting upon the street or alley, or part thereof so vacated, shall compensate such city or town in an amount which does not exceed one-half the appraised value of the area so vacated.”

After a discussion with the Steigers, they said the valuation did not impact their decision. They were willing to accept both amounts set forth and had talked to the other property owners about eventually taking on their portion.

It was further discussed that the funds from the acquisition of the property by the Steigers would go back into street improvements for the city.

A motion was moved to vacate the property and seconded.

The public hearing was opened for Ordinance 24-01 to vacate Anne Street, which had no discussion and was subsequently closed.