Meek Road & Susan Road Property Trade - Historical Summary

A dozen years ago, LRATA discovered that a small part of Susan Road, in use since the Second Addition was added to the First years ago, ran across private property. After consultation with legal counsel, the Board proposed to trade the property under an unnamed and unimproved road right-of-way between Meek and Susan Roads for the private property under Susan Road. That proposal was acceptable to the affected property owners and was approved by the remainder of the development’s property owners.

It was later learned that to obtain the rights needed to trade the property under the unnamed and unimproved road, the Association was required to petition Okanogan County to vacate that road. It was also learned that the County could seek compensation for vacating a road. When the petition was presented to the County, the County Engineer informed the Association that vacation of that road would result in the adjoining Meek Road becoming a “dead end” over 600 feet in length. County Road Guidelines required that, as a result Meek would need to be provided with a turn-around so emergency vehicles could maneuver.

The Association worked with Okanogan County Fire District 6 personnel to identify the changes needed to Meek Road. Once the necessary tree removal, widening, grading, etc. were completed, they were verified by the FD6 Assistant Chief and he sent a letter to the County Engineer.

The petition to vacate the unimproved road was discussed at a County Commissioner’s Hearing on December 11, 2023 and was conditionally approved, subject to the County receiving compensation for the road vacation in the amount of $21,124.60 by July 31, 2024.

Since that hearing, information has come to light suggesting that the originally developer deeded that property under Susan Road to the Association. Further investigation has shown that not to be true since no recorded plat amendment depicting an extension of Susan Road through Lot 35 can be located.

It is recommended that the Board pay the required compensation to the County within the time allotted as further efforts to find a different resolution are likely to be more costly.

Ron Suter