Owner offers Colfax County small parcel near Cherokee Hills for solid-waste operations; commission asks manager to negotiate

A resident has offered Colfax County a small piece of land near Cherokee Hills to help resolve encroachment and turnaround problems at a county solid-waste site, but the owner has asked for a lifetime exemption from county solid-waste fees as part of the deal, the commission heard on July 15.

County staff described the parcel as roughly 0.919 acres — a triangular outcrop used informally for roll-off containers and vehicle turnarounds — and said the property owner has allowed county use in the past. Staff showed photos of vehicles turning into the parcel and said encroachment by residents has been an ongoing problem.

The owner’s proposal, as presented by staff, was to transfer the parcel to the county at little or no purchase price if the county agreed to exempt him from county solid-waste fees for the remainder of his life; commissioners discussed alternatives including a purchase for a modest amount or other negotiated arrangements. A commissioner estimated rural land value at roughly $2,500 to $5,000 per acre in the area, but asked staff to negotiate and return with a recommendation in August or September.

Staff noted the parcel’s small size (0.919 acres) and current use as a roll-off location, and commissioners directed the county manager to work with the county attorney and the parcel owner to negotiate a price or other terms and return with an item for a future meeting. No purchase or agreement was approved at the meeting; commissioners asked for follow-up once the new county manager is in place.