Douglas County commissioners are looking for a way to encourage property owners to conserve some of their land when it contains certain key features.

That might include changing a small part of the subdivision regulations approved last year.

During a Monday meeting, Commissioners Bob Johnson and Charles Jones discussed changing a regulation that requires a conservation easement on large parcels of land with characteristics such as stands of mature trees, individually significant trees, and archaeological and historic sites.

The regulation requires that the conservation easement be legally conveyed to the county to conserve those features.

“I don’t think we want to see the county involved in holding conservation easements,” Johnson said, adding that it would be a “monumental nightmare.”

Jones agreed that the regulation went beyond what the County Commission was interested in doing.

Jones suggested County Counselor Evan Ice rewrite the regulation so the landowner is encouraged to conserve the land to prevent any use that changes its historical characteristics. He suggested removing the conveyance requirement.

Commissioners also said they are interested in discussing ways of promoting conservation with organizations such as ECO2, Kansas Land Trust and the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission.

Among other business items, commissioners approved:

¢ A request for rezoning 3.34 acres at 1930 E. 1400 Road from agriculture to suburban home residential. Husted Management L.C. owns the property.

¢ A preliminary plat for Husted Farms, at 1940 E. 1400 Road, for Husted Management. Husted wants to sell a residence and outbuildings on 125 acres. No development is proposed.

¢ A “cooperation agreement” with the city of Eudora for providing emergency medical service in Eudora and Eudora Township.

¢ The closing of certain roads and streets for the June 23-24 Baldwin City Stage (Bicycle) Race.