Mink Creek easement clash continues in proposed subdivision

Ken Covert has been living in the Mink Creek area for 30 years. When he first heard about the proposed Deer Valley Reserve subdivision, he immediately thought of his water.

“Water quality is the big issue,” he said. “Having sewage coming into our springs, our well, and everything else is a huge issue.”

At last week’s public hearing with the Bannock County Planning and Development Board, there wasn’t a seat to spare when Mink Creek homeowners came to show their distaste for the proposal.

The public hearing was a result of an appeal hearing with the Bannock County Commissioners, filed by the Mink Creek Utility Association. The commissioners remanded proposal back to Planning and Development after concluding residents didn’t have a chance to comment on the subdivision’s easement.

In their new concept plan, the developers provided a 300-foot easement for the MCUA. Also arguing the MCUA’s current easement is one acre, not ten.

After going through the appeal hearing and hearing planning staff warn the board to not go forward since the easement issue wasn’t resolved– Covert is thinking this issue will end up in court.

“These developers are very unscrupulous people. They’re there for the money, that’s it. They do not care about water or water contamination,” Covert said.

Dave Gebo and Emma Gebo, the developers, are now creating a preliminary plat for the subdivision. The Gebos declined to comment on the situation, but said “our goal is to do what’s right.”

The MCUA will be able to appeal the preliminary plat, too.