SCOTT BOARD EYES GUIDELINES FOR ROADS IN SUBDIVISIONS

BENTON -- Scott County commissioners plan to draft a set of standards for newly proposed and constructed roads in residential subdivisions.

Public hearings will be set for later this month.

The commission, which met Thursday, wants to clarify who owns and maintains county subdivision roads.

"It's too lukewarm," Presiding Commissioner Bob Kielhofner said.

Currently the county has no ordinance or guideline for road construction. As subdivisions are built, the roads remain private unless property owners petition the county for maintenance.

In the past, roads have been accepted when the commission accepts a subdivision plat.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Terry Herndon suggested the county only accept blacktop roads in the future.

"In the absence of exact guidelines now, it's a private road," he said. "Property owners can petition provided it's been brought to standard."

County Surveyor Norman Lambert plans to draft a policy for county subdivision roads.

"The controversy is whether it's been recorded and the road accepted," Lambert said.

Before recording a new subdivision, the commission needs to talk to the developer, he said.