Planning commission recommends against declaring North Osage Road a minimum-maintenance road after sinkhole review

The Harvey County Planning Commission recommended Jan. 7 that North Osage Road — the county line segment from Northeast 702nd north to Bridge 31P4 — not be declared a minimum-maintenance road, and the county commissioners accepted that recommendation at their Jan. 21 meeting.

Karen Rosie, Harvey County planning and zoning director, summarized the planning commission hearing: about 15–18 members of the public attended, three township representatives spoke, and several residents said they use the road regularly and opposed a minimum-maintenance designation. “The planning commission is recommending not to declare it,” Rosie said.

Residents and township officials told the planning commission and the board they are concerned about a sinkhole and a deteriorated segment of the road near railroad tracks. Speakers said declaring the road minimum maintenance would not fix the underlying defect and might reduce county maintenance obligations without addressing public-safety and access issues. Township representatives described hazardous conditions for farm equipment crossing the tracks and noted trains sometimes block the crossing for extended periods.

County legal counsel and commissioners said the problem likely requires geological and engineering study before a durable fix can be chosen. Counsel advised that ad hoc repairs without engineering could increase county liability; an engineering firm quoted by county staff indicated more extensive subsurface investigation could be required and that geotechnical work would likely be a five-figure expense. One township trustee said a prior GSI test encountered “decaying shale” at about 30 feet, and the trustee said the hole appears to be in an old creek bed where subterranean water movement complicates repairs.

Marion County — which shares the road segment — told Harvey County it is not interested in declaring the contiguous segment a minimum-maintenance road. Because the road sits on the county line, both counties would need to act to change the maintenance designation.

After hearing staff and public comments, commissioners accepted the planning commission’s recommendation not to declare North Osage Road minimum maintenance. The board directed county staff to research options and potential costs, consult Road & Bridge about possible engineering approaches or reroutes, and report back with options and estimates for further consideration. Commissioners suggested a future work session with township officials, Road & Bridge staff and county counsel to review engineering and funding options.