Commissioners authorize certified letter after concrete driveway intrudes into Wellsview Road

Fayette County commissioners directed county staff to send a certified letter to the owner of a property on Wellsview Road after staff reported a new concrete driveway was sawed into the paved road and stands higher than the road surface.

County highway staff described an uncooperative exchange when they asked the property owner to taper the driveway; the pavement was cut about six inches into the road and the finished concrete sits roughly 1.5–2 inches above the adjacent pavement, which staff warned could catch a snowplow blade and damage equipment.

The county attorney recommended giving the owner time to remedy the condition and advised a standard approach: certified mailing and an economical remedy if the owner does not act. “My advice usually as legal counsel is to spend less money… we can do what you said, grind it down, charge them, they not pay me, sue them,” the county attorney said, urging a practical path to protect county equipment and other users.

Commissioners adopted a motion that Jeff (Highway staff) send a letter and ask for contact by the first meeting in October—about 30 days—so the county can determine whether it should perform corrective work and bill the owner. The motion passed by voice vote with three ayes.

Why it matters: a driveway that intrudes into the traveled way creates a safety and maintenance hazard for county vehicles, especially snowplows; the county’s choice of a measured, documented approach creates a paper trail before the county takes remedial action.

Next steps: staff will mail a certified letter, document any owner communication, and report back at the next commissioners meeting; if the owner does not cooperate, the county attorney advised pursuing the most cost-efficient remedy and then attempting cost recovery against the owner.