Commission to notice public hearing on relinquishing county flood-easement on Hickory Wash property

County staff told the Beaver County Commission on July 1 that the county holds a historic easement recorded in 1961 for a proposed flood diversion channel on a parcel described in the packet as part of the East Bank/Hickory Wash area.

County attorneys prepared a draft document to relinquish the county's easement and clear title if the commission chooses to do so. The attorney noted the original diversion project does not appear to have been constructed and that staff's intent is to remove the easement from the recorded title if legally appropriate.

Commissioners discussed the process for relinquishment. Staff advised that state/local rules require a public hearing when an interest in county property exceeds a quarter acre or $20,000 in value; commissioners were told the parcel exceeds a quarter acre. The commission agreed to notice a public hearing and discussed publishing notice on the county website and optionally in the newspaper. Staff said the minimum advertising period available was 10 days, and agreed to set the matter for the commission's scheduled meeting on July 14 to provide an opportunity for public comment.

The county attorney said the draft relinquishment instrument could be recorded after the hearing if the commission votes to approve it. Commissioners also discussed reviewing the legal description and confirmed county staff would verify the description prior to formal action. No formal vote to relinquish the easement was taken at the July 1 meeting; the commission directed staff to notice the public hearing.