Commmissioners deny zoning permit

How does Antelope County define an unimproved road?

"An unimproved road is defined as any officially-declared minimum maintenance road and any road not graded or contains surfacing material," county zoning administrator Megan Wingate told commissioners.

The question of who is responsible for upgrades to an unimproved road occupied discussion amongst commissioners when they met in regular session, April 2 and again April 9.

According to county attorney Joe Smith, county resident Gary Yoder applied for a zoning permit for property adjacent to 512 Avenue. The road to that property, according to Smith, is in less-than-desirable condition.

“It’s eight feet (wide), trees on the sides, there’s no slope,” Smith said, suggesting the road would need to be brought up to standards before a permit would be granted.

Aaron Boggs, county road superintendent, said the cost of improvements would be the landowner’s responsibility, so “it doesn’t take away from our (county) resources.”

Commissioner Casey Dittrich asked if the board had input about the addition of a house along the road. The question remained unanswered.

“Do we give a permit and tell them they are in charge of upgrading the road?” Commissioner chairman Charlie Henery asked.

Boggs maintained the road must meet standards, which would means it would need to be 26 feet wide.

“You’re looking at a $50,000 to $60,000 project,” Boggs said.

Smith recommended denying the zoning permit.

Boggs previously approved an access permit.

“I can’t deny access,” Boggs said.

During the April 9 commissioners’ meeting, Wingate said she and Smith plan to meet with landowner Gary Yoder next week.

Commissioner Neil Williby, who was absent at the April 2 meeting, said, “I hate to tell a guy he can’t have a house.

Henery said the zoning permit is denied, until the landowner figures out bringing the road up to standards.

“He needs to figure out his options,” Henery said.

Williby asked if the road is currently a minimum maintenance road.

Wingate responded, “It’s an unimproved road.”

According to Dittrich, commissioners denied the permit “with full intention to find a solution.”

In other business, commissioners:

• Learned a list of obsolete county equipment will be compiled. Boggs reviewed the property with commissioners on April 9. Some items will be listed on auction sites, while others will be hauled for scrap.

• Approved a liquor license for Antelope County Club. Clerk Lisa Payne said the license was not approved last fall when commissioners initially approved it, so it will be resubmitted. Club officials will reapply for the annual permit in the fall.

• Accepted and approved any and all bids for gravel, armor coating, hot mix and asphalt.

• Entered executive session, which lasted 45 minutes, for a personnel issue. Attorney Joe Smith joined the session. No action was taken after the session was exited.