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Supervisors approve two entrance permits; discuss driveway-width and drainage standards
Summary
The board approved two entrance permits for farm/field driveways and discussed clarifying the county standard for driveway width and low-point drainage to prevent runoff onto county roads.
Jackson County supervisors on Tuesday approved two entrance permits and questioned the county’s standards for very wide driveways and drainage details on new entrances.
The board approved a field entrance permit for Dan Davis on 100th Street in South Fork Township and a farm entrance permit for Steve Borman on 216th Avenue in Richland Township. County engineer Jaden Shekel told the board both entrances meet site‑distance requirements, do not require culverts and are recommended for approval; the Borman entrance is an existing driveway being brought into compliance so the owner may later expand a shed.
Supervisors then discussed the county’s driveway‑width policy. One member asked why a driveway would need to be as wide as 70 feet; the engineer responded that wider entrances are sometimes requested to accommodate farm equipment, semitrailers for grain bins, or livestock operations. Shekel said county policy allows entrances up to 70 feet, and that widths between 50 and 70 feet require supplemental documentation explaining the need. Supervisors expressed concern that very wide entrances can interfere with drainage along rural roads and requested that the engineer produce clearer standard drawings showing the required low point so new driveways do not drain toward the county road.
Both entrance permits were approved by unanimous voice vote.
The board directed engineering staff to verify and publish the driveway width policy language and to update permit drawings to make the low‑point/drainage requirement explicit for new entrances.
