Supervisors approve minor subdivision with septic easement condition

The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors voted to approve Resolution 2025-13, the final plat for a one-lot minor subdivision north of Burlington, after staff outlined conditions addressing septic and access concerns.

County staff said the property lies a few miles north of Burlington off Spofford (Spold) 61 and would split roughly one acre from an existing family parcel to be sold to a relative for a house. The proposed lot meets the minimum lot size requirement (40,000 square feet), staff said, but the Des Moines County Health Department raised concerns about a high water table that could complicate a septic system installation.

Staff told the board it is likely any new septic system on the lot would require drainage onto an adjoining parcel. The board approved the plat with a condition that, if the septic system must encroach onto the neighboring property, the applicant must record an easement to allow the discharge. Staff also recommended waiving certain subdivision standards for the existing private driveway’s width and easement width because the right-of-way is not owned by the subdivider. Staff said future splits of surrounding farmland would require compliance and improvements to the shared access at that later time.

After staff remarks, a motion to approve Resolution 2025-13 was made and seconded. Supervisors recorded “yes” votes during roll call from Sarah, Tom Brooker, Shane McCampbell and Jim Carey; the resolution passed. The board said documents related to the approval will be signed after the meeting.

The board’s action is administrative: it approves the final plat with the conditions described and does not itself authorize on-site septic work, which remains subject to Health Department review and any required easement recording.