Springfield board approves ODOT easement for 437 Main Street

The Springfield Economic Development Agency voted unanimously to accept an offer from the Oregon Department of Transportation for one permanent easement and two three‑year temporary construction easements on property the agency owns at 437 Main Street.

Jeremy Shearer, presenting the item to the board, said the permanent easement is a narrow two‑foot strip at a property corner that amounts to roughly 64 square feet, and the two temporary areas are approximately 80 square feet and 68 square feet. He described the temporaries as nonexclusive construction easements for use during work and said ODOT is required to restore landscaping disturbed during construction in accordance with standard specifications. "It is perpetual. It is a complete taking," Shearer said of the permanent easement.

The board discussed whether the permanent easement would materially affect the property's value. Shearer said the impact would be "immeasurable," noting the area is already encumbered by a five‑foot utility easement and is of limited use. He also described the state offer in two ways in the presentation — once citing a total figure of $1,700 for the permanent and temporary easements and separately noting an offered rate of $16 per square foot for the permanent parcel; the presentation did not resolve that difference.

A board member moved to accept the ODOT Region 2 offer and to authorize the city manager to execute the offer and easement documents; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The recorder called the vote: Board member Van Gordon — yes; Vice Chair Weber — yes; Board member Moe — yes; Board member Rodley — yes; Board member Buck — yes; Chair Stout — yes; Board member Lovell — aye. The motion passed unanimously.

No members of the public spoke during the business‑from‑the‑audience period on this item. The board had earlier approved the consent calendar and the meeting concluded after the ODOT item.