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Elko County approves right‑of‑way vacation for Webber parcel with 10‑ft drainage easement
Summary
The commission approved Resolution 2026‑02 to vacate a 50‑foot right‑of‑way requested by the Webbers, adding a condition that the owners grant a mirrored 10‑foot utility and drainage easement on the north side of the neighboring fence to protect subdivision drainage and utilities.
Corey Rydes, the county surveyor and senior planner, presented a request from the Webbers to vacate a 50‑foot public right‑of‑way that staff said was unused and difficult to improve. Rydes told the commission that utility providers were consulted; NV Energy has relocated lines away from the right‑of‑way and Frontier indicated no objection to the vacation as proposed.
Neighbors raised concerns about drainage and property access. Resident Bruce Swenson said he recently purchased a corner lot and asked whether vacating the right‑of‑way would place the Webbers’ property immediately up to his fence and eliminate his access to maintain fire barriers. "I just bought that about… December… I hear I got a letter… I'm just curious why do we need to vacate it?" Swenson asked.
County engineer Bob Thiebaud and surveyor Rydes explained that the drainage that affects the neighborhood runs through the new owner’s parcel and then into the subdivision, but the portion the Webbers requested to vacate does not contain the principal drainage channel. Thiebaud said the vacation request was primarily to allow the Webbers to maintain and clean a neglected strip that has accumulated trash and fence remnants.
Several commissioners pressed for a condition to preserve drainage and utilities. As amended on the floor, the board required the owners to grant a 10‑foot drainage and utility easement on the north side of the fence (mirroring an existing 10‑foot easement on the south side) through the portion of the right‑of‑way being vacated.
Applicant Mackenzie Weber said the family wants to clean the strip and maintain it: "If we do get the whole right of way… we will be willing to let her come clean it," referencing a neighbor concerned about weeds and fire mitigation. The commission accepted the amendment and approved Resolution 2026‑02 as amended by voice vote.
The resolution carried with the added easement condition; staff said any future development would be subject to standard permitting and drainage-review processes.
