A Missouri family purchased land in rural Douglas County hoping they would eventually build a new home there.

But living on the property 5 miles northwest of Lawrence depends on the county’s willingness to allow east 700 Road to be extended north of North 1750 Road. A portion of the road was vacated by the county in the 1980s. If extended, the road would come to a dead end on the north because of the Kansas Turnpike.

Commissioners were generally disapproving of the request but held off making a decision.

Marc and Donna Whiting, of Warrensburg, Mo., petitioned the county for the road extension, saying they are aware that they would be responsible for purchasing any right-of-way and paying for the road to be built to county standards. Once built, the county would be responsible for maintenance.

Commissioners said that creating dead end roads presents a multitude of potential problems, including creation of a road that few people will use. Commissioners turned down a similar request a few weeks ago from someone who was considering buying property if a road could be built. County planning staff members said similar requests could be expected from landowners elsewhere.

Commissioners asked county planners to come up with a policy for determining when it makes sense to extend a road. They said they would not grant any road extensions until that policy is prepared and studied. Commissioner Jere McElhaney said he hoped a policy could be prepared in less than 180 days.

In other business, commissioners delayed approving a conditional use permit for a new 150,000 gallon water tower for Rural Water District No. 3. A tower is proposed for the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 40 and County Road 1023 in northwest Douglas County.

Commissioners wanted county planners to come up with an amendment to solve unforeseen complications with new rural county regulations.