Columbia County staff recommend vacating portion of Palm Creek Road; item to return on consent agenda
August 06, 2025 | Columbia County, Oregon
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Columbia County public works staff recommended Aug. 6 that the county vacate a limited portion of the undeveloped right of way for Palm Creek Road that passes through a private property, and told commissioners the item will be placed on a future consent agenda for formal action.
The recommendation came from Mike Russell, the county’s public works director, who told commissioners, “the proposed vacation of Palm Creek Road would not hinder the development or access to any other properties in the area, and it would not landlock any parcels.” He said the right of way currently runs through a house the petitioner wants to reconstruct.
Russell said neighbors affected by the request had provided “100%” concurrence, which under county practice removes the need for a public hearing. Assistant public works staff Brandt Young was also present to answer processing questions.
The road officials report included several constraints county staff considered. Russell said the undeveloped right of way follows Gloss Creek and eventually ties into Cedar Grove Road, but that the county’s transportation system plan does not propose a collector route linking Lindbergh Road and Cedar Grove Road through the Palm Creek alignment. Staff said a full vacation of the entire unused section would landlock parcels, so they recommended limiting the vacation to the portions the petitioner requested.
County counsel was asked about next steps; staff requested direction to place the limited vacation on a future consent agenda so commissioners can take formal action at a later meeting. No vote or formal motion on the vacation took place Aug. 6.
Commissioners and staff said there are no current public-works projects proposed on Lindbergh Road or Palm Creek Road that would require keeping the right of way intact, and Russell said if future development occurs the public works department would address access at that time.
The presentation and staff recommendation framed the matter as a technical right-of-way issue rather than a policy change: staff supported the limited vacation as being in the public interest given site conditions and neighbor concurrence.
The item will return to the board on the consent agenda for a formal decision; staff indicated they will draft the necessary order and supporting documents for that future meeting.
The recommendation came from Mike Russell, the county’s public works director, who told commissioners, “the proposed vacation of Palm Creek Road would not hinder the development or access to any other properties in the area, and it would not landlock any parcels.” He said the right of way currently runs through a house the petitioner wants to reconstruct.
Russell said neighbors affected by the request had provided “100%” concurrence, which under county practice removes the need for a public hearing. Assistant public works staff Brandt Young was also present to answer processing questions.
The road officials report included several constraints county staff considered. Russell said the undeveloped right of way follows Gloss Creek and eventually ties into Cedar Grove Road, but that the county’s transportation system plan does not propose a collector route linking Lindbergh Road and Cedar Grove Road through the Palm Creek alignment. Staff said a full vacation of the entire unused section would landlock parcels, so they recommended limiting the vacation to the portions the petitioner requested.
County counsel was asked about next steps; staff requested direction to place the limited vacation on a future consent agenda so commissioners can take formal action at a later meeting. No vote or formal motion on the vacation took place Aug. 6.
Commissioners and staff said there are no current public-works projects proposed on Lindbergh Road or Palm Creek Road that would require keeping the right of way intact, and Russell said if future development occurs the public works department would address access at that time.
The presentation and staff recommendation framed the matter as a technical right-of-way issue rather than a policy change: staff supported the limited vacation as being in the public interest given site conditions and neighbor concurrence.
The item will return to the board on the consent agenda for a formal decision; staff indicated they will draft the necessary order and supporting documents for that future meeting.
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