Washington County committee approves second access for Farmington property with restrictions

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

County staff described the parcel as a mixed-use lot with an existing residential driveway to the south and an agricultural field to the north. Staff said the original access permit had been granted years earlier with restrictions and that the proposed second access would be on County Highway L M about a half-mile north of County Highway L A in Farmington. Staff said the request required committee approval because the property does not comply with rules limiting multiple exit points for a single parcel and because of a previous condition placed by the highway committee.

Staff told the committee sight lines and safety spacing meet county requirements at the proposed location, and recommended approval with the restrictions listed in the committee packet. Committee members asked no substantive follow-up questions before the chair called the vote.

The committee approved the variance. The motion was made by Supervisor Hartwick and seconded by Supervisor Gratt; the chair called for the ayes and said, “Motion carries.”

The committee record notes the approval is subject to the restrictions and specifications included in staff’s packet; staff had said allowing a northern access would avoid a farmer driving through a ditch or creating unsafe conditions if the farmer sought to reach the field by traveling around the house.

The committee moved on to other agenda items after the vote.