Commissioners revisit unimproved road status

Antelope County Commissioners revisited the question of who is responsible for upgrades to an unimproved road when they met May 7 at the Antelope County Courthouse in Neligh.

Last month, officials denied a zoning permit for Gary Yoder, for property adjacent to 512 Avenue, where Yoder is constructing a residence.

County attorney Joe Smith told commissioners the property is owned by an Amish family, who is constructing a house at the location.

"The first quarter mile going up to it isn't bad. The next quarter mile to where he's building, although it's marked improved, it's not," Smith said. "You've been carrying this road in the inventory as improved, but it's really not. There are a couple hundred feet with banks that have shrubs on it. If a fellow could cut those trees or shrubs back, you could probably gravel it," the attorney noted.

Road superintendent Aaron Boggs said his department can make the road accessible so the family and emergency vehicles can get to the house.

Chairman Charlie Henery asked if snow removal will be possible.

"The way we're going to do it, hopefully," Boggs said.

Smith and county zoning administrator Megan Wingate traveled the road last month. According to Wingate, the sandy road was passable during a rainstorm that hit as the officials conducted a visit with Yoder.

Approximately 200 feet of brush will need to be removed and gravel will be laid.

Henery asked if a survey of the road will need to be conducted. According to Wingate, no, since a survey was completed on the parcel.

"If he's willing to build a house and be a part of the community there, there's going to be taxation on the buildings and stuff, I feel like we're not going to put a lot of money into it. But we sure need him to realize it's not going to be the highway," Henery said.

"He understands that," Smith said.

Wingate said she would approve the building permit and asked for commissioner approval for Yoder to talk to neighbors about clearing the ditches.

"It's not a fix-all for every project, but in this particular case, it's already improved for a quarter mile," Boggs said.

In other business, commissioners:

• Listened to a report from Deanna Martinsen and Rick Schuchardt, representing the Antelope County Historical Society and museum, about improvement projects, including fixing a leaky roof, installing a handicap-accessible ramp and door and painting the church and parking lot. Commissioners asked representatives to return in June with a cost estimate.

• Learned only 121 respondants completed the Antelope County comprehensive plan survey. Wingate said she was "mostly happy with the results."

• Approved two promotional grants. The Orchard Historical Society received $350 for its March monthly meal promotion. Elgin's Young N Lively organzation requested $227.29 for Treasures in the Park promotional materials. Commissioners gave the okay.