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Board grants temporary six‑ton embargo exemption for 220th Street to Hogan Construction
Summary
After public comment from the property owner’s attorney and contractor, Woodbury County granted a temporary exemption to a six‑ton embargo on 220th Street to Hogan Construction to allow construction access to a permitted home site (address given as 1360); the board limited use to the portion of 220th up to the property and approved a blanket exemption covering subcontractors for the embargo period, vote 5‑0.
Woodbury County supervisors voted to grant an embargo exemption that allows Hogan Construction and its subcontractors to use portions of 220th Street up to the property at 1360 for the duration of a six‑ton embargo, a measure intended to permit access for a home currently under active building permit.
Attorney John Hines, speaking for property owner Wes Hunold, said the project has an active building permit but no practical access except via 220th and requested the board authorize a blanket exemption rather than single‑vehicle waivers. "What we're asking the board for is to allow an exemption to this six ton embargo so that Wes's house can get built," Hines said.
Contractor Nick Hogan of Hogan Construction emphasized time sensitivity: "If we don't keep this project going, I'm gonna have to lay my guys off," and described typical construction traffic—concrete, pump and gravel trucks—that would be required to complete the house.
County staff and supervisors discussed enforcement and liability. Staff described the county's existing overweight/overlength permit practice, concerns about broader access if a blanket exemption were misused, and that the embargo is scheduled to end on August 4. Staff said a limited exemption that covers subcontractors working on the specific job site and restricts travel beyond the approach to the property would be manageable for enforcement.
The board reached what meeting participants described as a consensus to grant a project exemption to Hogan Construction covering subcontractors and limiting use of 220th to the approach up to 1360 for the duration of the embargo. A motion was made by Supervisor Nelson, seconded by Supervisor Bittinger, and the board approved the exemption by voice vote, recorded as 5‑0. Supervisors asked contractor and staff to coordinate on timing and to avoid travel when conditions are excessively muddy; staff also said they are examining cost‑effective fixes (such as grinding back to rock) for longer‑term road issues.
The board did not lift the embargo permanently; it granted a temporary, site‑specific exemption and directed staff to coordinate enforcement details and communications with the contractor.
