Opinion ID: 1851245
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: is youngs' tract isolated?

Text: The question of law raised by Youngs and the County Board, concerning the isolated land statutes is based on undisputed facts: Youngs' island tract is bounded on three sides by land owned by others and on the fourth side by the main channel of the Platte River. Youngs have been unable to acquire access to their island property. From the north, Youngs' property was previously accessible via the county road and the Ames Dike with permission of the Ames Diking and Drainage District and by crossing land owned by others. The County Board argues that there is an island exception to § 39-1713. However, in examining § 39-1713 we find no island exception; rather, land may be isolated, and, therefore, the subject of § 39-1713(2), if the land is shut off from all public roads, other than a waterway, by (1) being surrounded on all sides by real estate belonging to other persons or (2) by being surrounded on all sides by real estate belonging to others and by water. In view of its location on Hartman Island, Youngs' tract meets the requirement of § 39-1713(2) for qualification as isolated land. Thus, Youngs are entitled to a writ of mandamus for access to their island tract in accordance with §§ 39-1713 and 39-1716. The location and type of road eventually provided by the county are matters for decision by the County Board pursuant to §§ 39-1713 and 39-1716, see Singleton v. Kimball County Board of Commissioners, supra , and are outside the present appeal and outside the question whether the County Board must provide a public road to Youngs' island property from an existing public road. Concerning the preceding question, we affirm the district court's judgment, subject to the modification that the County Board shall lay out a public road in connection with Youngs' island property, see § 39-1716 (Reissue 1978), rather than public access, see § 39-1716 (Reissue 1988).