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Lincoln County approves conditional-use permit for private family cemetery on East Watts Road
Summary
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional-use permit allowing Patrick and Justine Irish to establish a private family cemetery at 138 East Watts Road, with a condition that the applicants record an easement guaranteeing future access.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a conditional-use permit enabling Patrick and Justine Irish to establish a private family cemetery on their 20-acre property at 138 East Watts Road.
Planning and zoning administrator Judy Clark told the board the property is zoned I-1 (light industrial) and that cemeteries are permitted by conditional use in that district. Clark said planning staff had no objections, the burial work was overseen by a licensed funeral director, and the applicants indicated the site would remain strictly for family use and would not increase traffic.
At a public hearing, board members pressed the applicants and staff on whether the family had secured an easement to guarantee future access. Applicant Justine Irish said the family has not yet recorded an easement but that obtaining one is their next step and that the couple plans to update their estate documents with an attorney to preserve access and ownership for their descendants. Neighbor Rebecca Rage spoke in support, saying the property is large and already enclosed in part.
Commissioners made approval conditional on the applicants recording an easement to preserve perpetual access to the cemetery parcel; planning staff said the applicants must provide a copy of the recorded easement to the county. The motion to approve included findings that the application complies with Lincoln County zoning, subdivision regulations and the county comprehensive plan.
The board approved the permit by roll call vote. Members voting "aye" included Williams, Woodruff and others who recorded their votes; at least one commissioner stated "no" during later, separate votes on other items, but the cemetery permit motion passed with the conditions described.
The board and planning staff noted the difference between private family cemeteries and public cemeteries: a family cemetery does not require formation of a cemetery board, but recording an easement and confirming maintenance arrangements are commonly used to protect long-term access and care.
The applicants were told to return to planning staff with a copy of the recorded easement once it is completed; the conditional-use approval will remain subject to that documentation.
