Title
Approval of an Ordinance to Vacate a Right-of-Way along Garfield Avenue Abutting West Bay Drive
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve on first reading, and forward to second reading, an Ordinance to Vacate a Right-of-Way along Garfield Avenue Abutting West Bay Drive.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve on first reading, and forward to second reading, an Ordinance to Vacate a Right-of-Way along Garfield Avenue Abutting West Bay Drive.
Staff Contact:
Adam Dreller, PLS, City Surveyor, Public Works Engineering, 360.742.6489
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
A property owner adjacent to a right-of-way along Garfield Avenue abutting West Bay Drive has requested the City to initiate the process to abandon 10 feet of right-of-way adjacent to their property. The additional property will be used to provide additional site area for a planned single-family residence.
On November 10, 2025, Council adopted a resolution setting the date of December 9, 2025 for a public hearing to hear public comment regarding the request.
On December 9, 2025, Council held a public hearing where the public expressed concern over the walkability along Garfield Avenue. As a part of the development, the developer is required to add frontage improvements which will include a 5-foot-wide sidewalk as proposed in Exhibit F.
City staff reviewed the request using criteria outlined in the Olympia Municipal Code Section 12.16.100. Staff recommends approval of the vacation with the requirement for the petitioner to provide an access and utility easement in lieu of payment of one-half the appraised right-of-way land value to the City. This would be of mutual benefit as follows:
Mutual Benefit Analysis:
Key points associated with the mutual benefit of the proposed land exchange include:
1. The City would gain more than 1,800 square feet of alley right-of-way for public access, supporting ingress, egress, and maintenance of public and private utilities, in exchange for vacating approximately 560 square feet along Garfield Avenue. This represents a net gain in usable public right-of-way (See Exhibit G).
2. Vacating 563 square feet of right-of-way along Garfield Avenue does not impact the City’s ability to construct a public sidewalk along the Garfield frontage of 241 West Bay Drive. The vacation also does not further reduce available on-street parking along this segment of Garfield.
3. Obtaining the alley right-of-way would allow the City to legally access a portion of an existing sewer main that currently lies just outside of public right-of-way. Without this acquisition, the City would need to obtain an easement for legal access. While this action does not fully resolve access limitations along the entire alley, it significantly improves the situation and benefits surrounding property owners.
4. The alley right-of-way acquisition would allow the owner of 225 West Bay Drive to legally access their property by vehicle without relying solely on the alley’s southern access point at Harrison Avenue. The existing Harrison entrance is posted with restrictions prohibiting alley access due to unsafe conditions. Maintaining access from Garfield is therefore important to ensuring reliable and safe vehicular access for 207, 219, and 225 West Bay Drive.
5. Residential solid waste service for 207, 219, and 225 West Bay Drive is currently provided from West Bay Drive, requiring bins to be placed on or along the public sidewalk. This creates a pedestrian obstruction and safety concern. Maintaining alley access from Garfield would support the option to provide solid waste services within the alley, which would be safer and would improve pedestrian conditions along West Bay Drive.
Together, these considerations demonstrate that the proposed vacation and associated right-of-way exchange provide mutual benefit to the City, the petitioner, and nearby residents. Improved legal access, better utility maintenance potential, and enhanced safety for both vehicular circulation and pedestrian movement support staff’s recommendation to approve the vacation.
Given the mutual benefits associated with the proposed land exchange, staff recommends that the applicant not be required to pay one-half of the appraised value. Instead, staff recommends accepting the proposed access and utility easement in lieu of payment.
Climate Analysis:
This action is administrative in nature and does not have a direct impact on our climate goals. There are no known increases or decreases in greenhouse gas emissions with the proposed right-of-way vacation.
Equity Analysis:
This action is administrative in nature and there are no known equity implications with the proposed right-of-way vacation.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Public Hearing provided an opportunity for Council to hear comments from the community regarding the requested vacation. Public testimony was received during the hearing and addressed by ensuring a sidewalk will be installed along the property frontage.
Financial Impact:
There will not be a finical impact to the applicant as the access and utility easement will be provided to the public in exchange for the property to be vacated.
Options:
1. Move to approve on first reading, and forward to second reading, an Ordinance to Vacate a Right-of-Way along Garfield Avenue Abutting West Bay Drive. This option allows the vacation to occur.
2. Approve on first reading with additional conditions desired by Council, and forward to second reading, an Ordinance to Vacate a Right-of-Way along Garfield Avenue Abutting West Bay Drive. Staff will update the Ordinance with Council modifications prior to second reading.
3. Do not approve an Ordinance to Vacate a Right-of-Way along Garfield Avenue Abutting West Bay Drive. The City right-of-way will remain.
Attachments:
Ordinance
Vicinity Map
Exhibit “F”
Exhibit “G”