2nd Walk-Thru Scheduled for Sat 1/12

This is an update on the "road vacation" hearing scheduled for Monday, January 14, 2008.

First of all, some have asked what a "road vacation" is. Briefly, as we understand it, the county has a number of platted roads and right-of-ways, normally 60 feet in width, that are not currently being used for roads or other purposes. We have some in Illahee. Adjoining property owners can propose to buy these properties once the road is declared excess (the road use being vacated). The primary benefit to the county is the added tax revenue. The proposed vacation and purchase must go through a public notification process so the community can respond, and thus the past and upcoming hearings before the County Commissioners. In these two cases the community seems to be saying that while these areas may never be used for roads, they may be used for other purposes, such as future pedestrian paths, and therefore should not be vacated.

We heard from a number of residents who cannot attend the walk through of these county properties on Wednesday because they are working or busy, and suggested a second walk through. We have therefore scheduled another one for Saturday (1/12/08) at 11 am.

We also heard that the two Illahee road vacations were discussed at the County Administrator's Briefing session on Monday afternoon, and we are waiting to hear if those discussions will affect Monday's agenda.

Jim Aho