Dolores County grants preliminary subdivision-exemption to local cemetery, waives fee and setback rules

The Dolores County Board of County Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a subdivision-exemption request covering a local cemetery parcel and agreed to waive the application fee and some setback requirements, the board said at its Feb. 2 meeting.

Commissioner, speaking during the agenda item, said the application affects a cemetery near the town office and noted that the parcel was being handled through the West Dolores Cemetery District; the Hatfield Family LLC will sign the application in mid-February, the commissioner said. Another commissioner said the parcel will be surveyed and an official plat prepared before final action.

Board discussion centered on whether standard subdivision setbacks — typically 25 to 50 feet for structures — make sense for property dedicated to burials. One commissioner suggested waiving setback requirements or reducing them to about 10 feet "so long as there was the survey which clearly delineated the boundaries," and staff and commissioners agreed that a survey and plat would be required.

A motion for preliminary approval, including waiving the application fee and the setback regulation for the cemetery parcel, was made and seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote. County staff were directed to coordinate with the county planner to ensure the final plat reflects the agreed conditions.

The transcript uses several different names for the site (including "West Florida Cemetery in Patville," "Westmore Cemetery/Path Fields" and "West Dolores Cemetery District"). The board did not resolve those naming inconsistencies during the meeting; the county will need a clarified legal description and a signed owner or representative signature before final approval.