Fannin County OKs seasonal use of 10-foot right of way for Wolf Enterprise with indemnification

The Fannin County Board of Commissioners approved a seasonal variance that lets Wolf Enterprise LLC use a 10-foot strip of county right of way on Asper Road from May through Sept. 30 to park work vehicles and a signing trailer, provided the company signs an indemnification agreement with the county.

The variance request came before the board as a request from Wolf Enterprise LLC. The company’s representative said the space has historically been used to stage vans and trailers tied to nearby business operations and emphasized the area would not be used for general customer parking. “It’s not gonna be for customer parking… That’s gonna be just our use only,” the applicant said.

Commissioners and staff raised safety concerns about traffic speed and pedestrian crossings in the area. One commissioner noted the road is a straightaway where drivers can gain speed, and raised the possibility of adding crosswalk lighting or a removable warning system. A county official said the board could inspect and mark the space should the variance be granted. The applicant said he sometimes hires a deputy during busy holidays to improve traffic control.

County staff asked whether the applicant would accept responsibility for liability in the right-of-way; the board requested that Wolf Enterprise sign an indemnification agreement as a condition of approval. The motion to approve the variance and require execution of an indemnification agreement carried on a voice vote with commissioners saying, “Aye.”

The approval is limited to the seasonal dates stated in the request. County staff indicated they would follow up to place physical markings and confirm the area and conditions with the applicant before the use begins.

Votes at the meeting did not include a recorded roll-call for the variance; the transcript shows the motion, a second and an affirmative voice vote.