The Philomath City Council gave final approval Monday to ordinance to vacate a narrow unimproved alley near North Eighth Street on a 6-1 vote with no discussion among councilors. Mayor Christopher McMorran cast the lone no vote, consistent with his opposition at both prior votes on the matter.
The second reading was required after the ordinance passed 4-1 at the June 8 meeting — two councilors were absent that night — with McMorran again voting no. Oregon municipal procedure requires a unanimous vote to pass an ordinance on a single reading; a nonunanimous vote triggers a mandatory return for a second roll call.
The vacation was requested by Scott Ramsey, who owns both parcels flanking the 13.67-foot-wide alley located just north of the railroad tracks between North Eighth and North Ninth streets. Ramsey intends to build a home on the vacant lot to the west, and vacating the alley would provide sufficient land to meet residential setback requirements. City staff found no sewer, water or storm lines within the alley and identified no conflicts with the vacation.
McMorran previously cited a general reluctance to relinquish public property that could potentially complicate future infrastructure planning.