Kewash trail easement set for public hearing

WASHINGTON — A contentious deal to sell 2,830 square feet of county land from the Kewash Nature Trail to Lepic-Kroeger Realtors is set for a public hearing at the Feb. 8 Board of Supervisors meeting.

“At this point in time we have actually approved the purchase agreement, the purchase agreement has been signed,” Washington County Conservation Director Zach Rozmus said. “The next step is to have a public hearing associated with that easement because any time county ground is sold or leased or anything like that, there does have to be a public hearing associated with that.”

While the public hearing could potentially lead to a cancellation of the easement based on public feedback, County Auditor Dan Widmer said he didn’t expect that outcome.

“I don’t anticipate that happening, but there is that possibility, I mean that’s what the public hearing is for, is to gain input and let the public voice their opinion,” he said. “The building is already there, the Washington County Conservation Board is in approval of it, those are some of the reasons.”

While the conservation board approved the easement in October, it did not reach a purchase agreement until last week. Rozmus said the board had taken the time to cover its bases.

“This has been going on for quite a while now, I’m sure everyone has heard or seen or read,” he said. “We wanted to make sure that we did our due diligence, involved the county attorney, and we actually reached out to a private attorney as well (for) reviewing the deed.”

Real Estate Agent Matt Lepic drew criticism from the Washington Board of Adjustment for the duplex involved in the easement which was built on a lot too small for legal occupancy absent the 2,830 square foot addition.

“We shouldn’t have to get to this point where we look at these faces and say, ‘What are you going to do for us?’” Board of Adjustment Chair Charla Howard said in October. “There should’ve been a procedure followed, it wasn’t followed, now we’re here trying to give the ultimate answer.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com