Supervisors approve private paving of Monarch Avenue with city'recommended 7.5-inch cross section

The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 27 to allow a private paving project on Monarch (Lark) Avenue to proceed under a 7.5‑inch pavement specification recommended by the city engineer.

County roads staff told supervisors that the developer's follow‑up letter described a 5‑inch concrete cross section — a depth county staff said equates roughly to a private driveway rather than a county road standard. Roads staff recommended a 6‑inch minimum cross section; city staff conveyed a 7.5‑inch recommendation. Supervisors said they preferred the higher thickness because the county would assume maintenance responsibility once the improvement is accepted and because county equipment (plows, heavier maintenance vehicles) could shorten a thinner pavement's useful life.

Supervisor Casey moved to approve the project with the city's 7.5‑inch specification; the motion carried on a voice vote with three affirmative responses.

County staff noted the applicant is responsible for 100% of the initial improvement cost under county policy for secondary‑road improvements and that after construction the county would accept the roadway for maintenance. The board did not modify the applicant payment requirement.

The vote authorizes the project to proceed under the higher cross section and directs staff to continue coordinating with city engineering and the applicant on construction sequencing and traffic control.