Drainage board grants variance for Wesley Manor Trail to be built closer to drain

The Clinton County Drainage Board on April 21 granted a variance to allow sections of the proposed Wesley Manor walking trail to be sited about 20 feet from a municipal drain, closer than the county’s usual 50-foot separation requirement.

A presenter seeking the variance explained two constrained locations — near Washington Avenue on USB property and where the trail crosses near Isaac Walton Road and the wastewater treatment plant — make the shorter setback necessary. “We want to see if you would give us a variance so that the trail would be about 20 feet from your drain rather than 50 feet as I understand is required right now,” the presenter said.

Dan and members of the utility service board said they had discussed access and have no objection to placement closer to the drain, noting the county retains the right to operate heavy equipment on the trail surface for maintenance and will repair the trail as needed. Dan recommended approval and the board accepted the surveyor’s recommendation; the motion carried 2-0.

The board recorded that it may need to re-fine tune trail repairs if heavy equipment is used and that a written acknowledgement of the county’s right of access can be included in the drainage approval letter.