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Clark resident asks Park County to remove developer-paid 30 mph sign on private War Horse Road
Summary
Resident Wendy Annis told commissioners that four new county-style signs, including a 30 mph limit, were installed on War Horse Road (a private/BLM access to a subdivision), and said the signage encourages higher-speed traffic that increases maintenance costs for private residents; county staff said the signs were paid for by the developer and legal counsel would need to be consulted about removal authority and enforceability.
A Clark resident asked Park County commissioners to remove a 30 mph speed-limit sign that she said was installed on a privately maintained dirt/BLM road and is causing increased speeding and maintenance costs for adjacent residents.
Wendy Annis of Clark told the board that the Park County road department recently installed four county-style street signs on War Horse Road, which serves private subdivisions such as Chief Joseph Estates. Annis said the newly posted 30 mph sign creates the impression the county maintains the road and has increased large-service trucks and traffic on the private route, driving up repair costs for privately funded road maintenance. She asked the county to remove or cover the speed-limit sign.
Commissioners and staff responded that the developer paid for the signs and that the county 'standardizes' signage even when privately purchased. Staff cautioned the board that the county likely does not own the signs and may lack authority to remove them without legal review; they suggested residents consult the developer about any underlying speed study used to set the 30 mph limit. Staff also observed that enforcement of a posted speed on a private road is unlikely because deputies would not normally patrol remote private tracks.
Commissioners suggested the issue might best be addressed through upcoming updates to subdivision and road-and-bridge standards and by clarifying county policy on signage for privately maintained roads during subdivisions and development reviews.
What happens next: staff will confirm ownership/payment records for the signs, consult legal counsel about removal authority if necessary, and include signage policy in the broader review of subdivision and road standards.
