Jefferson County planning commission votes to vacate Bryansburg plat after public hearing

The Jefferson County Planning Commission voted unanimously March 4 to vacate the recorded plat for the platted town of Bryansburg, a subdivision originally recorded in 1834, following a public hearing that featured competing testimony from property owners, an attorney and county staff.

The commission’s vote, taken after public comment and counsel from county staff, ends the subdivision status of the area identified in the petition filed by Wendell and Christine Lanham. The commission’s action applies to the entirety of the platted town as requested in the petition and was approved by roll call vote.

County planning staff told the commission that many of the original lot lines no longer function as separate buildable parcels under current local ordinances and that the subdivision had, over time, been treated as combined tracts for tax and title purposes. “Once they’re combined, it’s my understanding they no longer exist as separate lots as such,” the county planner said, summarizing his review of deeds, surveys and tax records presented to the commission.

Attorney David Ridowitz, speaking for…