Commission approves utility and driveway easement across county‑owned land to serve landlocked parcel near Northeast Sedgwick County Park

The board approved a resolution March 5 granting a utility and driveway easement across Sedgwick County property near Northeast Sedgwick County Park so a landlocked parcel to the north can receive utilities and driveway access.

Andrew Delts, director of facilities, said the county owns a parcel used for tree‑waste disposal adjacent to Northeast Sedgwick County Park (the “burn pit” area). The privately owned parcel to the north currently has a limited access easement; the new agreement would replace that easement, enable utilities to be run across county land and require the private owner to construct and maintain a driveway meeting county service‑drive code. Delts said the new easement would run with the land and the private owner would bear construction costs.

Commissioners and staff said the county explored alternative routes, including running utilities through park land, but said federal restrictions tied to park acquisition encumbrances make that option legally complicated. County counselor Justin Wagner and others reviewed previous efforts to lift encumbrances at the federal level; Wagner said an earlier attempt with Representative Estes several years ago did not result in action in Washington and more recent attempts were not successful. County staff said the encumbrance on Northeast Sedgwick County Park would require a conversion process with state and federal agencies, which staff deemed uncertain and complex.

Commissioner Meitzner thanked staff and the property owner for cooperation; the clerk recorded the motion to approve the easement with a unanimous 5‑0 vote.

Ending: The recorded easement replaces the existing access agreement, permits utilities and a driveway to be constructed and is conditioned on the private owner paying for construction and maintenance; staff will record the agreement with the Register of Deeds.