Committee approves discontinuance of a small right-of-way parcel on County Highway C to return land to adjacent owners

The Public Works Committee voted to approve a resolution discontinuing a small portion of County Highway C right-of-way to allow neighboring property owners to consolidate land and expand a parking area near Biffinger’s Rest in Cedar Creek.

Staff said the triangular parcel under consideration had been used informally as a parking area and that rocks and other encroachments had crept into the right-of-way. The county evaluated returning the small parcel to adjacent owners; staff said the land area is a few thousand square feet and would return to the tax rolls if conveyed, though the county will not receive direct payment for the land transfer under the proposed approach.

Staff explained the discontinuance follows prior reconstruction of the highway in 2017 and that formalizing parcel boundaries will reduce confusion about where parking and the road begin, improving safety and curb definition. The committee approved the resolution; the motion was made by Supervisor McCulick and seconded by Supervisor Barrack and the chair called the ayes. The chair said, “Motion carries.”

Staff said the discontinuance requires subsequent county board action and noted the proposed transfer is small and intended to provide neighbors stable property lines while maintaining 50 feet of right-of-way where needed for safe operation.