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Yankton County approves St. Agnes plat after public raises cemetery access concerns
Summary
The county commission approved a variance and plat allowing St. Agnes Church to split its property, after residents urged preserving vehicle access to the cemetery; church representatives said an easement can be recorded before sale.
The Yankton County Commission voted May 5 to approve a variance and subsequent plat that split St. Agnes Church’s parcel into two tracts so the church can retain the cemetery and sell the hall.
Public commenters said vehicle access to the east end of the cemetery must be preserved. “We need to have maintain[ed] access to the east end of that cemetery,” said Tony CE during the public comment period. Neighbor Bob D. Young said a narrow gap at the east edge would make it difficult for a hearse to turn: “There’s not much room to drive a hearse in there and turn around,” he said.
Father Bob Lacy, who identified himself as serving local parishes, said the church would continue to own both parcels if the plat is approved and could work with buyers to record an easement: “They can record an easement after a plat has been approved,” he said, adding the parish could negotiate access before any sale.
County staff described the legal description and the administrative steps taken (including a previously approved section‑line vacation and coordination with the highway superintendent). Commissioners concluded that because the church would initially retain control of both pieces, access could be secured before any sale and moved to approve the variance. The motion to approve the variance was made by Ryan and seconded by Wanda; the motion carried.
The commission then approved the plat of Tract One and Tract Two of St. Agnes addition by motion (mover Dan; second Ryan). The record shows the commission treated access concerns as a matter for the property owners to resolve by easement before sale rather than adding a condition to the variance.
The commission returned to regular session and later entered executive session for unrelated poor relief and personnel matters; no action was taken in executive session. The next procedural step for the St. Agnes property will be recording the plat and, if needed, any easement agreement between the church and future buyers.
