12.48.080 Granting Criteria.
A. The City Council shall not vacate any street, alley, or any parts thereof, if any portion thereof abuts any body of saltwater or freshwater, unless such vacation is sought to enable the City or State to acquire the property for port purposes, boat moorage or launching sites, park, viewpoint, recreational, or educational purposes, or other public uses and unless the requirements of RCW 35.79.030 and this chapter are complied with.
B. The City Council shall use the following criteria for deciding upon all street vacation petitions:
1. That the vacation will provide a public benefit, and/or will be for a public purpose, which public benefit may consist of economic and business support derived by the community from the petitioners;
2. That the right-of-way vacation shall not adversely affect the street pattern or circulation of the immediate area or the community as a whole;
3. That the public need shall not be adversely affected;
4. That the right-of-way is not contemplated or needed for future public use;
5. That no abutting owner becomes landlocked or its access will not be substantially impaired; i.e., there must be an alternative motive ingress and egress, even if less convenient; and
6. That provision has been made for utility easements, when needed for the right to construct, repair, and maintain public utility facilities.
C. The City Council may, at the time of its public hearing, determine that the City may retain an easement or right to exercise and grant easements in respect to the vacated land for the construction, repair, and maintenance of public utilities and services. (Ord. 1364, 1977; Ord. 1996, 2001; Ord. 2123, 2007)