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Council adopts resolution setting criteria to accept private roads into town maintenance
Summary
After debate and an amendment requiring notification to council when the town manager grants application waivers, the Town Council adopted Resolution 2026-24 establishing private-road acceptance criteria and procedures, including escrow options to cover town costs.
The Keystone Town Council adopted Resolution 2026-24, which establishes the town’s criteria and procedures for accepting private roads into public ownership and maintenance. The policy document, adapted from model procedures provided by the town attorney’s firm, outlines standards, escrow and bonding provisions, and the administrative process for acceptance requests.
During deliberations council members asked several questions about liability and quasi‑judicial exposure, whether acceptance might obligate the town to take on many additional roads and how to allow flexibility for applicants without undermining safeguards. The town attorney explained the policy allows the town manager to waive or modify application or submittal requirements when strict compliance is impracticable, but the policy was amended to require that the town manager "highlight such waiver to town council in the staff report." That amendment was moved, discussed, and approved before the council voted to adopt the resolution.
Council discussed technical issues including the definition of "good" road condition, escrow/letter-of-credit requirements to cover five years of contemplated maintenance cost, and the need for staff to be able to use town‑commissioned reports where appropriate rather than forcing applicants to replicate studies. The council voted to adopt the resolution as amended; staff will proceed to implement the new application process and provide guidance and public communications for potential applicants and HOAs.
