City commissioners approved a change to the county’s subdivision regulations that allow rural housing developments to be constructed off of gravel roads.

Originally, the new subdivision regulations required that the development only could occur off hard surface roads. But County Commissioner Bob Johnson told city commissioners that the language unintentionally had created a serious restriction. That’s because only Wakarusa Township has paved township roads. None of the other townships have the ability to maintain paved roads.

Johnson said the change wouldn’t open up the entire county to rural subdivisions because there are several other criteria that must be met before a property owner can create a subdivision.

City commissioners approved the change on a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Boog Highberger said he was concerned that the change could dramatically increase the number of rural subdivisions in the county.