Committee approves second driveway access variance for Farmington parcel

The Washington County Public Works Committee voted to approve a variance request allowing a second access point to a parcel on County L M in the Town of Farmington.

The action, moved by Supervisor Hartwick and seconded by Supervisor Gratt, responded to a property owner request to add a northern access drive to a parcel that already has a residential southern access. Scott, County Highway Department staff, told the committee the original access was granted years ago with restrictions and staff could not approve a second access administratively because the parcel does not meet the county’s rule limiting multiple exit points to the same parcel.

Scott said staff was supportive of the variance “with restrictions” listed in the committee packet and described the proposed northern access location as offering acceptable sight lines and spacing for agricultural and regular vehicles. He noted an agricultural field across from the proposed access and explained the alternate would force a farmer to drive “around the backside of the house” or risk driving through a ditch in muddy conditions.

Committee members asked whether sight lines and safety were adequate; Scott said the location met spacing requirements and that moving the access further south would begin to eliminate required spacing. After no further questions, the committee voted and the motion carried with all present voting aye.

The committee’s approval sends the variance forward under the conditions described in the staff packet; the packet lists specific restrictions but the committee transcript references them only generally.

The committee also approved last month’s meeting minutes at the start of the session.