The Hermiston City Council will vote tonight on an ordinance that would vacate a portion of W. Ridgeway Avenue after the city reached an agreement with the adjacent property owners.
The city initiated street vacation proceedings late last year to make way for a proposed hotel development on the former Tum-A-Lum property near Auto Kool. In order to accommodate the development, the city voted on Dec. 22 to vacate 15 feet of W. Ridgeway Avenue that is part of a 60-foot right-of-way west of N. First Street and east of the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way. Rhonda Sallee, owner of Auto Kool and five other tax lots, objected to the street vacation, arguing it would substantially reduce the value of her land by restricting access in and out of her properties. She told the council on Dec. 22 that she would sue the city for damages if the street vacation proceeds.
Since then, however, the two sides have worked out an agreement that will avoid a lawsuit.
Also at tonight’s meeting, Hermiston Mayor Dave Drotzmann will be sworn in for his second term, and there will be a report on public feedback to proposed changes to the city charter.
Tonight’s meeting is at 7 p.m. at Hermiston City Hall.
