A public hearing date was approved regarding release of a portion of an easement from the Washington County Conservation Board.

Last October the board approved to sell 2,830 square feet of an easement along the Kewash Nature Trail in the City of Washington at a price of $10 per square foot, or $28,300 total. This was for a developer who requested the easement from the board twice as a duplex built just north of the trail failed to meet the city’s zoning requirements. Conservation Executive Director Zach Rozmus requested the Washington County Board of Supervisors approve setting February 8th at 9 a.m. for a public hearing on release of the easement Tuesday, as per state code he determined it is required of the supervisors rather than conservation who holds the deed, “The next step is essentially that anytime county ground is sold or released there does have to be a public hearing to release that portion of it.”

Rozmus mentioned he had County Attorney John Gish and a private attorney to review the deed, and the conservation board has approved the purchase agreement. The sale of land will not cost the county any legal fees, and proceeds will go toward continued improvements of the trail.