Franklin County adds Cottonwood Estates to emergency agenda after 2200 East becomes impassable

Franklin County Commissioners on June 24 added Cottonwood Estates as an emergency agenda item after receiving notice that a portion of 2200 East was impassable.

Commissioner Boyd Burbank said the notice about the road closure arrived after the 48-hour posting window and "it does qualify an emergency," citing the county attorney's reading of Idaho Code 74-204. County Attorney Vic Pearson summarized the statute's standard for emergency additions to a meeting agenda.

The issue was raised after a resident, Darron Kelley, contacted the county about the condition of 2200 East. Pearson read a letter dated Oct. 11, 2022, from Karen Higley that documented prior requests for maintenance. Planning and Zoning staff told the board the subdivision's preliminary plat requires road upgrades before the county can approve the subdivision.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Shauna Geddes said she and Director Troy Moser told the developer they would install two culverts and widen the roadway so it would be passable year-round. Commissioners did not take an immediate approval vote on the subdivision at that moment; instead, Commissioner Dirk Bowles said he would speak directly with Director Troy Moser to determine how to make the road passable and to confirm what work has been completed.

The emergency addition to the agenda was approved by motion of Dirk Bowles, seconded by Boyd Burbank, and carried unanimously. No formal variance or waiver of subdivision standards was recorded at the meeting; Planning and Zoning staff said road upgrades remain a precondition for final subdivision approval.

Next steps: Commissioner Bowles will follow up with Director Moser and county staff to document the road work needed and to report back to the board. The board scheduled a follow-up item and also noted the developer previously appeared before Planning and Zoning with a preliminary plat.