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Commissioners grant conditional variance for Old Corvallis Road access after applicant offers shared approach option
Summary
After a continuation hearing on an appeal of a denied access permit for Old Corvallis Road, the board granted a conditional variance from separation requirements contingent on a shared driveway at or south of the property line and abandonment of an existing temporary access.
The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners granted a conditional variance on April 7 allowing access to a parcel off Old Corvallis Road if the property owner and neighbor agree to a shared approach at or south of the property line and abandon the existing temporary access, the board said.
The decision followed a continuation of an appeal of a denied access permit. The applicant, who said she lacked experience with road easements and had used a longstanding informal access during purchase and construction, described safety concerns for delivery and service vehicles under the present arrangement. Staff and the applicant discussed easement dimensions, landscaping within the easement, and the practicality of widening or relocating the approach. A Corvallis Fire representative had visited the site and reported the current layout was "not ideal" for fire apparatus, commissioners said the record reflects.
Commissioners and staff discussed options including (1) the applicant and neighbor jointly abandoning the existing access and recording a new shared access near the property line, or (2) widening or extending pavement within the existing recorded easement. Staff emphasized that any new shared access crossing another property will require a new easement, a survey and documentation to protect both parties. The board also noted an existing temporary permit on record that would need to be removed as a condition of any new approach to secure the applicant’s deposit return.
On the record, a commissioner moved to approve a variance from the separation requirements contingent on a shared common approach at the property line or to the south and abandonment of the existing temporary approach; that motion was seconded and carried on voice vote. The motion included a condition that the existing temporary access be removed as part of establishing the new approach.
Clarifying details recorded in the discussion included staff observations that there is roughly 10–15 feet of additional easement width adjacent to the current pavement and that landscaping (rocks and in‑ground sprinklers) in the easement would need to be relocated if the access is reconstructed or widened. Staff also said a survey and drafting of a new easement are required if the shared access crosses a neighbor’s property.
The board instructed the applicant to negotiate with the neighbor on a shared access location and to inform county staff; if the parties reach agreement consistent with the board’s conditions, staff will finalize the variance without a further board hearing, the commissioners said.
