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Commissioners approve reduced local road standard for new subdivisions after debate over affordability and right‑of‑way protections
Summary
Following extensive discussion, the court approved a variance to permit a reduced local road standard (2" asphalt on 8" base, 22‑foot width) with a dedicated 60‑foot right of way to balance developer affordability and county long‑term maintenance concerns.
After a lengthy public discussion about subdivision design and long‑term maintenance, Midland County commissioners approved a variance changing the county’s approach to certain local roads in new subdivisions.
Developers said building to full county road standards would raise lot prices and make projects infeasible. "The paid roads are 10 times the cost," developer Jack Knapp said, arguing the variance preserves affordability for buyers. Developers said homeowner associations would maintain caliche and paved roads in some phases.
Commissioners repeatedly emphasized the need to protect a 60‑foot right of way so the county could accept and maintain roads in the future. Commissioner 13 said protecting the right of way was central to his position but moved to approve a revised paved‑road variance after staff indicated the county could prepare a proposed new local‑road standard.
The motion approved a 22‑foot‑wide paved local road built to 2 inches of asphalt on 8 inches of base with the 60‑foot right of way dedicated to the county. Commissioners asked staff to draft a permanent change to subdivision regulations so similar requests could be handled consistently.
Next steps: staff and county engineers will return with proposed written standards or an application process for reduced local‑road specifications; the approved variance applies to the Midland 107 subdivision as presented in the packet.
