County proposes updates to minor subdivision rules

The county commission will be hosting a public hearing on December 5 at 2 p.m. regarding some updates and amendments to its minor subdivision rules and the bylaws that apply to its planning and zoning commission.

Should the updates to the subdivision rules be approved, the Crook County Commissioners will now have the authority to approve the covenants drafted for new subdivisions. The minimum size of an allowable lot, tract or parcel has been reduced from five acres to 2.5 acres.

The updated rules would increase the size of a cul-de-sac at the end of a dead end road to 45 feet in radius and increases the width of streets inside a subdivision from 18 to 24 feet.

The changes also clarify that, while mineral rights are not included with the purchase of any lot, they are the dominant estate, which means they can be developed by their owner regardless of surface ownership. The surface owner is, however, entitled to damages as determined by statute.

The subdivision rule changes also fix some wording errors and update information, such as to change the name of the growth and development department to its new title, the Crook County Planning Department.

Changes to the bylaws for the Crook County Land Use Planning and Zoning Commission would meanwhile alter one of the goals of the comprehensive county land use plan. This would now be for public safety, health and general welfare of the unincorporated areas of the county, but not for the “morals” of those areas.

Robert’s Rules of Order have been removed from the operating procedures of the commission, to be replaced by “standard meeting operating procedures”.

The commission’s secretary will no longer be automatically designated as the county clerk. The position can now also be designated to another county employee or member of the commission.

The chair can now also appoint a designee to render the monthly written or oral report to the county commissioners.

Both documents can be viewed on the county’s website and written or oral comments will be accepted. Written comments should be submitted to the county clerk prior to the hearing.

The county commissioners are expected to vote on the adoption of the two documents following the public hearing.