SCOTT COMMISSION CONSIDERS SUBDIVISION ROAD GUIDELINES

BENTON -- Scott County entered uncharted territory Tuesday in discussing specifications and guidelines for subdivision roads with developers.

The county wants to insure new subdivision roads meet county standards.

"There is no written policy," Scott County Road Supervisor Terry Herndon said.

The county maintains roads regardless of their condition, he said, adding that that could change if commissioners establish guidelines on road construction.

"We are trying to establish guidelines on roads in subdivisions before the county takes them into the system," Presiding Commissioner Bob Kielhofner said.

Under current policy, when the commission accepts a development plat, it also accepts the existing roads in that plat.

By approving the plat, the county also agrees to maintain the roads. However, problems arise when residents want their road paved and it doesn't meet the county's specifications.

"Everybody wants asphalt," Kielhofner said. "Some of these roads are barely even gravel."

The county pays for the paving process on gravel roads but must build up some of them before they can be paved.

"There are people who want Cadillacs but drive Toyotas," said real estate developer Willard McMickle.

There should be two sets of construction standards -- one for gravel roads and another for paved roads, he said. The standards would limit the developer's liability.

County Surveyor Norman Lambert said the public has to "get a fair shake."

Guidelines regulating right of way, base thickness and asphalt quality should be established, he said.

Lambert and Herndon hope to develop criteria for road construction and present it to the commission later this summer.