Cache County Council directs staff to begin relinquishing County roadway for proposed River Heights subdivision
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
After months of outreach, the council voted unanimously to start the legal process to relinquish Cache County jurisdiction over a stretch of Highway 238 so River Heights could assume responsibility and allow a developer access for a proposed 41‑lot subdivision.
Cache County Council members voted unanimously to direct county staff and the county attorney to begin the legal process to relinquish the county's jurisdiction over a segment of County Highway 238 that a developer seeks to use as access for a proposed subdivision in River Heights.
The vote followed a presentation by Matt Phillips, Cache County public works director, and discussion of a renewed petition from developer Blaine Hamlin of Heritage Land Development for access to the county road. Phillips summarized county policy requiring express council approval for municipal development to access a county roadway and said River Heights' city attorney had previously stated the city "has acknowledged the county's ownership of 600 East" and "has no current plans to alter that arrangement." The developer is proposing a new access that would serve 41 homes.
Why it matters: Council members repeatedly voiced concern that continued county maintenance (winter plowing and other services) for a road that primarily benefits River Heights shifts fiscal burden to the county while property tax revenues from the development would largely accrue to the city. Multiple members said they were unwilling to continue authorizing new, higher-traffic development on a road the county maintains for a municipality that is not contributing to its upkeep.
What was decided: A motion was made and seconded to "start that process to relinquish the responsibilities of that road in those municipalities." The council asked staff and the county attorney to prepare the resolution and take the procedural steps under state code so jurisdiction could transfer back to River Heights. The presiding officer announced the motion passed unanimously.
Discussion highlights: Council members pressed staff on maintenance responsibilities, number of access points (the parcel has a single ingress/egress from the county road with emergency access through a church parking lot), and the potential negative impact of adding traffic from 41 homes. One council member proposed making River Heights take over the road before granting any development permission; others said the county could allow a temporary use while formal relinquishment proceeded.
Next steps: Staff (public works and county attorney) will draft the formal relinquishment resolution and follow the state-code process for transfer of jurisdiction; the county indicated it would advise River Heights and the developer of the council's intent and allow temporary access consistent with the pending relinquishment, pending final action.
Speakers quoted in this account are from the council meeting transcript; attributions follow the council's public record.