Commissioners Approve Hoffman Lake Camp Vacations
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
Commissioners approved vacating a portion of public way from CR 300N north to the edge of Hoffman Lake as well as a drive to the north often used by school buses as a turnaround. The vote was made with the stipulation that petitioners William and Beverly Long stick to compromise measures they offered, including paying 44 years of property taxes for a camper on the property, restricting parking on CR 300N, installing a fence on the property and allowing buses to continue to use the turnaround.
Commissioners Bob Conley and Brad Jackson voted for the vacation, with Commissioner Ron Truex abstaining. The Area Plan Commission had voted 5-2 against, with one abstention.
The vacations were requested by the Longs after a survey revealed that the land in question was set as public right of way in the original 1927 platting of the subdivision. The family had used it privately in their campground for more than 40 years, noted attorney Christopher Walter, adding that the compromise suggested would still leave public access at the north end of the shoreline.
But Richard Helm, attorney for neighbors opposed to the vacations, said the Longs didn’t offer any negotiations until after the Area Plan Commission denied their request. He characterized the request as an “end run” after the family pursued the matter in circuit court, which Walter later noted they will dismiss.
“They’re asking you to reward them for doing something improper for 40-plus years,” Helm told commissioners, also offering several counter-proposals for a compromise. “A sliver (of right of way) is not enough, five feet along the shoreline is not enough.”
Truex said he didn’t see the request as an end-run since the Longs had previously approached them for a vacation and were told they first needed to determine if the land was part of the plat or county owned.
Commissioners made their vote after several minutes of huddled discussion while the meeting was still in session, which followed about an hour of speaking by supporters and remonstrators.[[In-content Ad]]
Commissioners approved vacating a portion of public way from CR 300N north to the edge of Hoffman Lake as well as a drive to the north often used by school buses as a turnaround. The vote was made with the stipulation that petitioners William and Beverly Long stick to compromise measures they offered, including paying 44 years of property taxes for a camper on the property, restricting parking on CR 300N, installing a fence on the property and allowing buses to continue to use the turnaround.
Commissioners Bob Conley and Brad Jackson voted for the vacation, with Commissioner Ron Truex abstaining. The Area Plan Commission had voted 5-2 against, with one abstention.
The vacations were requested by the Longs after a survey revealed that the land in question was set as public right of way in the original 1927 platting of the subdivision. The family had used it privately in their campground for more than 40 years, noted attorney Christopher Walter, adding that the compromise suggested would still leave public access at the north end of the shoreline.
But Richard Helm, attorney for neighbors opposed to the vacations, said the Longs didn’t offer any negotiations until after the Area Plan Commission denied their request. He characterized the request as an “end run” after the family pursued the matter in circuit court, which Walter later noted they will dismiss.
“They’re asking you to reward them for doing something improper for 40-plus years,” Helm told commissioners, also offering several counter-proposals for a compromise. “A sliver (of right of way) is not enough, five feet along the shoreline is not enough.”
Truex said he didn’t see the request as an end-run since the Longs had previously approached them for a vacation and were told they first needed to determine if the land was part of the plat or county owned.
Commissioners made their vote after several minutes of huddled discussion while the meeting was still in session, which followed about an hour of speaking by supporters and remonstrators.[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092