Clinton County board grants primary approval for one‑lot Neal Minor Subdivision

The Clinton County Planning Board on Aug. 5 granted primary approval, 6–0, for a one‑lot minor subdivision proposed by petitioner Randall Nick, allowing the creation of a single residential parcel on the north side of West Gusline Road. The board approved the plat with conditions that the subdivision covenants satisfy county counsel and that the subdivision name be adjusted to avoid a recorder‑office conflict.

Board staff said the Neal Minor Subdivision would split a roughly 60.8‑acre parent tract to create a roughly 10‑acre lot described by the petitioner as farm ground where a family member plans to build a house and keep goats. "This is the application of Randall Nick, and this is a request for primary approval for a 1 lot minor subdivision for a single house," staff member Liz Stitzel told the board.

Stitzel said county technical reviews were complete: the health department approved the lot as suitable for a septic system, subject to a perimeter drain that is shown on the plat; the surveyor’s office provided a drainage waiver on March 30, 2025; and County Highway raised no objection to the proposed drive. Staff reported the plat meets subdivision standards except for two administrative items: the restrictive covenants need final legal review, and the recorder’s office flagged a potential name conflict under County Subdivision Ordinance section 703.04. Stitzel recommended approval with those two conditions.

The petitioner told the board he and his surveyor would work with the recorder’s office on an alternative name. "We can update that to something; we've got a couple ideas that we'll take," Randall Nick said, offering "Neil‑George" as an option.

Board member Dan Sheets moved for approval with the condition that the covenants meet counsel Jay Moore’s satisfaction and that the petitioner resolve the name question; Walt Minnick seconded. In a roll call vote Grant Mueller, Dan Sheets, Walt Minnick, Jeff Chenoweth, Chad Colby and Kevin Myers voted yes; the motion passed 6–0.

The board emphasized that secondary plat approval and recording remain required before the lot is official, and staff said any further subdivision or additional lots would require separate hearings.

Documents cited during the hearing included County Subdivision Ordinance section 703.04 (naming rules), the county health department approval, and a drainage board waiver. No permitting or construction timeline was set at the hearing.