Commissioners approve utility easement and allow two Northstar Landing lots to stand alone

Lincoln County commissioners on June 11 approved two requests tied to the Northstar Landing subdivision: a utility easement under Douglas Hill Road and a condition amendment that allows lots 45 and 46 to exist as standalone residential parcels.

County planning staff described the easement as a 15-foot utility strip needed to allow underground borings for shared septic and utility work. Commissioners agreed to add deed language requiring that utilities be installed by underground boring methods so the road surface is not disturbed, that the Eureka District road foreman be notified prior to installation, and that the county not be held responsible for normal-use damages. The board voted to approve the revised easement deed and asked staff to return the updated document for signature.

On the condition amendment, staff explained that lots 45 and 46 had originally been combined into adjacent parcels because on an earlier slope map they were deemed too steep for standalone lots. Developers provided recent survey data and on-site grading records indicating the engineered road and stormwater work reduced slope sufficiently to allow the lots to remain separate. A commissioner noted the lots are small but said they meet local requirements. The motion to allow lots 45 and 46 to stand alone passed by voice vote.

Staff emphasized the action did not increase the subdivision’s original approved lot count; changes reflect on-the-ground engineering and lot-line adjustments. Commissioners directed staff to notify the applicant and provide the revised easement deed for signatures.

Actions: The board approved the Northstar utility easement with added boring and notification language and approved the condition amendment allowing lots 45 and 46 to remain as individual residential lots. The easement revisions and the lot-status change are to be finalized with recorded documents before further permitting steps.