County staff: Spear Acres to use private infrastructure; commissioners back KDOT cost-share application for road overlays

County planning and engineering staff updated the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 2 regarding Spear Acres and sought approval for a state cost-share application for road maintenance projects.

Mackenzie Phillips told commissioners the developer of the Spear Acres subdivision had planned to dedicate public infrastructure via a south connection that is only 40 feet wide; the county requires a 60-foot right-of-way. Plans to acquire an additional 20-foot strip to meet the county minimum fell through, Phillips said, and the developer will proceed with private roads, drainage and stormwater systems. Phillips noted the change also makes the project ineligible for RHID funding that requires public infrastructure dedication. Staff said the developer will return to the planning commission with revised plots for review.

Phillips also asked the commission to authorize the chairman to sign a letter of support for a Kansas Department of Transportation cost-share application. Staff said the county planned mill-and-overlay work for segments of Bigelow Road and proposed applying for KDOT cost-share funds to mill-and-overlay Anderson Road and Jones Avenue (within Holcomb city limits). KDOT’s fall 2025 cost-share round has $6 million available and staff said any additional funds could be used to assist county mill-and-overlay plans. The commission authorized the chair to sign the letter of support by motion and vote.

County staff said more details on the Spear Acres private-infrastructure plan and any amended plats will return to the commission at a future meeting.