Commissioners approve vacation of portion of Rodney Street in Hillview subdivision

The Coffee County Board of County Commissioners opened a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. April 27 on a petition to vacate a segment of Rodney Street in the Hillview subdivision. County staff confirmed required notice (publication and mailed courtesy notices) and explained statutory findings under KSA 58‑2613/2614 that the board must make before vacating a public right‑of‑way.

Jamie Hos, mayor of New Strong, told the board the city had no objection to the street vacation provided the city's north‑side utility easement remain recorded on the plat. County counsel and staff noted the proposed resolution explicitly protects and preserves existing public‑utility rights, rights‑of‑way and easements and that no written objections from adjoining landowners had been filed with the county clerk.

With no other public comment, the board closed the hearing and then moved to approve Resolution 2026‑976 vacating the described portion of Rodney Street in the Hillview subdivision, subject to existing public utility easements and the petitioners paying publication/recording costs. Commissioner motion and second carried; the resolution passed 5‑0. County staff said estimated county expenses for publication and recording would be modest (staff estimate under $500) and would be charged to the petitioning party.

The resolution will be filed with the register of deeds with a statement that the vacation is "subject to all property rights of public utilities, rights of way and easements for public service facilities then in existence." The item concluded with the board instructing county staff to complete the paperwork and collect the costs from the petitioners.