Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cu25 002 Cedar Bluffs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission backs 30‑lot home‑site development near Jeffrey Reservoir; attorney says lake access conditions not feasible
Summary
Lincoln County Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit to create roughly thirty 10‑acre home sites near Jeffrey Reservoir; a local lake committee asked for restrictions on private ramp use and boat storage, but county counsel said private‑property rights limit adding those conditions and one commissioner abstained on the vote.
The Lincoln County Planning Commission on July 8 recommended approval of a conditional use permit that would allow a roughly 420‑acre parcel near Jeffrey Reservoir to be subdivided into about thirty 10‑acre buildable home sites.
Planner Judy Clark told commissioners the proposal from Cedar Bluffs, LLC (represented by Joe Wahlgren) and Luke and Julie Rickertsen would create cabin and home sites that meet county subdivision and zoning rules; staff raised no objection but emphasized that land‑use permits must be obtained for individual building projects as properties are sold. "Land use permits are tied to the individual construction of the property and will need to be permitted as properties are sold and should not be considered approved as part of the conditional use permit," Clark said.
Local residents spoke during the hearing. Mitch Rickett, identified as chair of the Jeffrey Lake lot committee, said the lot committee is "not against the development" but asked that the new development be restricted to using the public boat ramp only and that private boat storage around the lake be prohibited. Gothenburg resident Matt Williams, a long‑time cabin owner, told the commission he supported the private development and emphasized no public tax dollars are planned to support it.
Deputy County Attorney Tyler Volkmer advised the commission that the lake and adjacent access involve private property rights and that the commission could not impose Mr. Rickett’s requested condition limiting ramp use or banning private boat storage. "The lake has private property rights. This is not a condition that can be added," Volkmer said.
After discussion about road access and standards (applicants said access will be provided to a county‑improved road via private drives and easements), the commission closed the public hearing and adopted Resolution CU25‑002 A recommending approval. Aaron Edwards moved to adopt the resolution; Lee Davies seconded. The motion passed on a roll call vote with six Ayes (Boden, Rayburn, Roggow, Edwards, Davies, Miller) and one Abstention (Flaming); four members were absent.
The resolution finds the proposal complies with Lincoln County zoning and subdivision regulations and the county comprehensive plan. The commission noted that requests tied to private property access and private ramp use are matters of private property rights and were not appended as conditions to the county recommendation. Individual land‑use permits and compliance with road standards will be required before construction on any lot.
