Commission approves vacating township right-of-way and replat to combine lots in Pelican Township

The Codington County Commission approved Resolution 2025-16 to vacate a portion of right-of-way adjacent to Lake Pelican and then approved Resolution 2025-17 to replat two parcels into a single lot (Lot 15 in Polls Subdivision) at its Oct. 28 meeting.

County staff explained that petitioners Susan Brook, David Carlson and the Benedictine Sisters of the Mother of God Monastery own properties that abut the road segment and requested the vacation so they can consolidate two parcels (Lots 4 and 13) into one. Pelican Township asked the county to handle the vacation and reported no objection so long as an access easement remains to serve the affected properties. Staff said the existing road alignment on the ground shifts toward Lot 13 in places and the proposed plat dedicates an access easement along the roadway's actual path.

An applicant representative, identified in the record as Tyler Johnston, was present for the public hearing; no members of the public registered opposition at the hearing. The commission opened and closed the public hearing, then voted to approve the vacation subject to a condition preserving an access easement and approved the plat creating Lot 15, which consolidates Lots 4 and 13 and formalizes the easement.

County staff noted that if a neighboring property owner later requested to build over the former right-of-way, that owner might have to replat because the former right-of-way falls inside existing setbacks. The commission's approval does not alter township maintenance responsibilities; Pelican Township confirmed it does not maintain the subject right-of-way and had requested the county take action on the vacation.