[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6666340,"mediaKeyId","2334291-66cabd7247a067780a52e9882dd8cb78","parentId",2334291,"title","Commission declines to vacate portion of Class B road at 1250 North after lengthy dispute over easements and subdivision approvals","audioSeconds",1575,"startMs",1636000,"endMs",3211000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334291-66cabd7247a067780a52e9882dd8cb78&start=1636&end=3211","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334291-66cabd7247a067780a52e9882dd8cb78/thumbnail_1636000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6666340/Utah/Commission-declines-to-vacate-portion-of-Class-B-road-at-1250-North-after-lengthy-dispute-over-easements-and-subdivision-approvals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666340-d714aeb860380cb10765dcf426961121/orig.mp4?Expires=1777186127&Signature=bKfZhKUeTVMZEWf8Zjr~KZuglx0cyiEk0JLyVOTKe-bYm7W9oiIIp9ANcZOiHkMRjcEkz3gwFzgynrFK3qs0gNni4q7wwAQ~Kr3OUCpbBX8jJGfvAHokcZMVJ2rww6MSXAqfi7ikjYlx5UU0t~Xq4aNuX5aZxo9E4pEXgfh66Q78ep8ybNckVlDV-WZUTFW1HDylUN~G0B1Wox2FVXvFdAfLN22CoumeggJTz5bFASKUOlBB-VC0PRPOhNa8OtoiRrJdF6q4zV8iAycN7UGimxukk0sWxVp9hbdbVgmdFMUGkwpb0LoTSgXyIs60luhslGF7d0Cw6EK7rLze9sFwfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-17T23:09:12Z","article","The Uintah County Commission on a February 2025 meeting considered but did not adopt a motion to vacate a portion of a Class B road at 1250 North that lies on private property owned by Christy Jenkins.

The item, listed as Ordinance 12O4202301 on the agenda, prompted more than an hour of public comment and discussion. Commissioners heard from the executor of a family trust, several neighbors and county staff about competing claims over whether the lane was ever a public road, how prior minor-subdivision approvals were handled, and whether vacating the road would landlock adjacent parcels.

TJ Batty, who identified himself as executor of the trust that owned portions of the land, argued the lane \"is not a road. It's never been a road. Everyone knows that,\" and said the trust and subsequent buyers proceeded with land transfers and sales that later created the dispute. Batty urged the commission to vacate the road and allow the parties to resolve property rights without additional county involvement.

Other speakers, and at least one commissioner, said recent subdivision approvals and other county actions created uncertainty and that new evidence submitted by a property owner ' an email received the day before the hearing ' suggested the claimed easement provided ingress and egress only to 1250 North and not beyond. A commissioner said the principal concern was avoiding landlocking a property and noted that the record contained insufficient evidence that the lane met Class B road standards.

County staff reported that a 33-foot easement was recorded in 2003 and that the current driving width of the lane is roughly 12 feet. Several speakers described narrow driving conditions, parking and utility access concerns, and the potential for conflict if utilities were installed through the disputed lane. One speaker said Christie Jenkins spent substantial funds maintaining access for nearly 25 years and that vacating the lane could force neighbors into litigation over access rights.

After discussion, a motion to vacate the road was made by a commissioner. Following further debate, the motion did not carry; the transcript records an opposing voice and the chair announced the vote outcome as a negative on the motion to vacate. The commission did not adopt an alternative action at the meeting and asked staff to continue researching the record and legal standards before bringing the matter back.

Background and next steps

County staff said earlier hearings and paperwork have stretched over roughly two years, and that the commission and staff have attempted to reconcile survey and subdivision records. Commissioners asked staff to locate legal standards and evidence regarding the county's historical treatment of the lane and to return the item with clearer documentation. The commission did not provide a formal timetable for rehearing the matter.

Key points from the record

- The parcel and lane in question were the subject of a proposed minor subdivision and sale that proceeded while ownership and easement questions were outstanding.

- A 2003 instrument recorded a 33-foot easement; speakers disagreed about whether that instrument and subsequent use created a public road or only private access.

- Commissioners expressed concern about landlocking parcels and the practical width and condition of the lane (driving width cited at about 12 feet).

- The commission voted on a motion to vacate the referenced portion of the Class B road; the motion failed. No alternative final action was taken at the meeting.

Speakers and records noted possible litigation if the county took definitive action without clearing title and easement claims.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Uintah County Commission Meeting 02/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","After extended public comment and debate, the Uintah County Commission did not vacate a disputed portion of a Class B road at 1250 North. Property owners, an executor of a trust and county staff clashed over whether the lane ever met county road standards and whether vacating would landlock neighboring parcels.","taxTitle","Uintah County Commission, Uintah County Commission and Boards, Uintah County, Utah","taxId",19870,"location","Utah","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6666344,"Uintah County approves MOU with Vernal City for water-site fencing and cameras; OKs FreedomFest headliner and volunteer policy",682,1011000,1693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334291-66cabd7247a067780a52e9882dd8cb78&start=1011&end=1693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334291-66cabd7247a067780a52e9882dd8cb78/thumbnail_1011000.jpg","/articles/6666344/Utah/Uintah-County-approves-MOU-with-Vernal-City-for-water-site-fencing-and-cameras-OKs-FreedomFest-headliner-and-volunteer-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6666344-cfa61e7be9c58aab25e0d9a2d9ffb9d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1777186127&Signature=BVe8h4lYFCrIygs1fbbKVxq03CBedyDnSYpv9HMtK3OPHcKI3vL~axdvbeoKclGGTyJy0UKof2pbHpjjzxBBLDURE2Efslvj4LiGG0lK88O4URAEuGgnkVuapUqXG3JUaNh6itVn-xGfOTFat4zYDL-a6lwushjzFsdw~dZkSWiYN2ry8SkGgHGB9Gmz8gqcCeuHjFutrbWgjOnfTUI~Ap~q9qiNwCkGTAZFCuFxCEZu8HQa1iGcu-SvqLhZs6vTxfhzgrxIYv7HK2FC6k0ct~54bjcBdyvRkoO7SnlBgx0tEfeD2IrbhMbZA6PheAoSb2Xd15dPX2B09BHmLtX0gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Uintah County Commission on a February 2025 meeting approved a memorandum of understanding with Vernal City to allow installation of fencing and cameras around water utility infrastructure at Ashley Gorge, authorized a $6,000 headliner contract for the county's FreedomFest with the county paying a $1,500 deposit, and adopted amendments to county volunteer policy 3-40.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) gives Vernal City permission to deliver materials to County-owned Ashley Gorge property and install a security fence and cameras around the springs, the bridge area and the desander. County staff said the work includes about 950 feet of fencing and will require running power and fiber for cameras. Ivan Merrill, Vernal City Utilities, told commissioners, \"we're just wanting to your permission to be able to get in there and and get it done,\" and said the city is fast-tracking the work because April runoff limits the time crews can move equipment across the creek. The commission voted to approve the MOU; the chair will sign and the agreement will then go to the Vernal City Council for its approval.

County staff said public utilities for the area ' fiber and power ' already reach the general location south of the bridge and that the city will run lines from the public utility termination to the Spring House and desander. County staff also said Vernal City will mark the intended fence alignment on the ground for county review to ensure access and parking are not unduly restricted.

The commission also approved a contract to secure Brandon Davis as the headliner for FreedomFest on July 24. The agreement is for $6,000 with the county paying a $1,500 deposit, and the county's presenter said, \"The agreement is for $6,000 and just needs to be signed, by the commission chair.\" The presenter said FreedomFest organizers will pay the remaining balance and will begin promoting the act on festival channels once the contract is signed.

Tanya Craven, human resources, presented amendments to county policy 3-40 on volunteers. Craven said the policy had not been updated since February 2009 and that the revisions incorporate workshop feedback and legal review. The commission voted to approve the policy amendments.

Clerk-auditor Mike Wilkins presented warrants for signature totaling $270,041.52 and noted a check to Stearns Construction for $20,502 for the county's share of a trail connection behind Discovery Elementary. The commission approved the certified list of claims as presented.

A separate transportation-plan item to add 300 South to South Terra Academy as a Class B paved road was discussed but tabled pending a maintenance agreement with Vernal City; staff said the item will be returned as a resolution when the city agreement is ready.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to present warrants (certified list of claims): approved. Presented by Clerk-Auditor Mike Wilkins; amount presented $270,041.52; included a $20,502 check to Stearns Construction for trail work.

- FreedomFest headliner contract (Brandon Davis), $6,000 total, county deposit $1,500: approved. Motion to approve carried by voice vote.

- Amendments to Policy 3-40 (volunteer program): approved. Presenter: Tanya Craven, Human Resources. Policy last updated February 2009.

- Memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Vernal City to place fencing and cameras at Ashley Gorge: approved. Motion passed; chair to sign, then to Vernal City Council.

- Proposed change to transportation plan (adding 300 South to South Terra Academy as a Class B road): tabled until the maintenance agreement with Vernal City is completed.

Community impact and next steps

County staff said the MOU is intended to protect drinking-water infrastructure and that Vernal City has previously planned fiber, power and monitoring at the site. Vernal City indicated it will bid or contract the work and expects to begin field marking and installation ahead of spring runoff. FreedomFest organizers will finalize promotion and payment terms once the chair signs the entertainer contract. The volunteer-policy amendments will be implemented by Human Resources; staff said they will reach out to residents who signed up to volunteer.","At its February meeting, the Uintah County Commission approved a memorandum of understanding with Vernal City to install fencing and cameras around water infrastructure at Ashley Gorge, agreed to a $6,000 headliner contract for FreedomFest with a $1,500 county deposit, and approved amendments to county volunteer policy 3-40.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission declines to vacate portion of Class B road at 1250 North after lengthy dispute over easements and subdivision approvals

Uintah County approves MOU with Vernal City for water-site fencing and cameras; OKs FreedomFest headliner and volunteer policy