The Washington County Planning Commission recommended approval Thursday of a small tract subdivision to create Hidden Creek Lots 1 and 2, with the removal of a 0.72-acre county right of way. The recommendation was forwarded to the Washington County Board of Supervisors, which is scheduled to act at 3 p.m. July 22, 2025, in the Supervisors Room at the courthouse in Blair. The action followed a public hearing on the application by Richard Vacek to plat Surrey Hills Lot 9 and Tax Lots 33, 42 and 43 in Section 35, Township 17 North, Range 12 East of the Sixth P.M., near County Road 45 and Dutch Hall Road outside Omaha. Planning & Zoning Administrator Shewchuk provided staff materials in the commission packet; the public notice was published in The Enterprise on June 20, 2025. Vacek presented the application to commission members and fielded questions about why the proposal was handled as a subdivision rather than administratively. Commissioner Anderson questioned whether the subdivision process was the best way to accomplish the applicant’s objectives and raised concerns about the dedication of the right of way. Anderson initially moved to approve while excluding the .72-acre right-of-way dedication, then withdrew that motion after further discussion. Commissioner Smith then moved, and Anderson seconded, to recommend approval with removal of the dedicated .72-acre county right of way; that motion carried on a 6-0 vote with Commissioner Hoegermeyer absent. The commission’s vote was recorded as Anderson: Aye; Hartzell: Aye; Lambrecht: Aye; Mathiesen: Aye; Smith: Aye; Taylor: Aye. The recommendation to the Board of Supervisors is a referral; any final platting, recording and right-of-way changes will be subject to county procedures and any conditions established by the Board. The transcript shows no objections recorded after the commission vote. The board will consider the commission’s recommendation at its July 22 meeting.