WAITSBURG – It will probably be years in the making, but Waitsburg's city council took the first step toward straightening Taggart Road, making it a straight shot from Millrace Road to Highway 12.

At their April 19 meeting, the council approved an easement with John Lieberman and Mary Phillips to allow for the future placement of a road and waterline.

The proposal, which would eliminate two 90-degree turns from Millrace Road to Hwy. 12 via Taggart Road, has been a recurring topic at council meetings for over two years. The idea was first discussed when Gene and Mary Warren proposed developing a subdivision in the Taggart Road area in 2014.

City Manager Randy Hinchliffe explained that Taggart Road currently has two severe 90-degree turns and the visibility where the road meets the highway is poor. He said an aerial view of the landscape showed that it makes sense to bring the road from Millrace Road, straight through to the highway.

Hinchliffe said the city would require a 60-foot easement for a road and a 20-foot easement for a waterline, which would run east-west between Taggart Road and Dewitt Road. He said the road adjustment and new waterline would greatly improve the suitability of the area for potential future development.

Property owners John and DeLynn Liebermann and Mary Phillips, have agreed to the easement in exchange for the city waiving the grantors' water and sewer utility bills for the adjoining parcels for seven years, or up to $10,000, whichever comes first.

The grantors would also receive one tap-in to the waterline on each of the three parcels, when the waterline is installed, at no fee. The agreement does not change ownership of the property.

"This is just a starting point, the first of many steps involved before the road can be developed. We have to have the land before we can build," Hinchliffe said.

"Either city can give $10,000 straight up or the city can exchange the value of the easement for credits against the utility bill. This way the city is not out any financing," he added.

The council voted unanimously to approve the easement agreement with the Liebermann Family Trust and Mary Phillips.