School board approves deed of easement for Butler Lane to grant neighbor access

The Page County School Board approved a deed of easement to allow a neighboring property owner access across district property via Butler Lane, a drive that crosses about an acre of land shared by four property owners, the board was told. The board also authorized the chair to finalize the deed in a form acceptable to the division's legal counsel.

Why it matters: The easement affects property access adjacent to the bus garage and maintenance facility; the district indicated the action will not change maintenance responsibilities for the lane.

District staff presented an aerial diagram showing the bus garage, maintenance facility and adjoining properties and said the yellow fenced area denotes the secured bus compound. The applicant's requested access follows a red line on the map and crosses property owned or used by three other owners in addition to the school division. Staff said the school board attorney and the neighboring owner's attorney reviewed the request; district counsel recommended approval as a “good neighborly thing to do,” and staff confirmed the district would not be responsible for maintaining the lane (washouts, gravel, etc.). The bus garage manager said the request would not impact operations provided maintenance of the lane remained the property owner's responsibility.

On a motion recorded in the minutes, the board approved the deed of easement and authorized the chair to endorse the deed subject to final legal review; the motion was seconded and passed by the board.

Ending: Staff said the deed formalizes existing access conditions for multiple owners and that final language will be completed with legal counsel.