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Ellis County commissioners approve 1478 Jeffrey Avenue lot split despite private-access concerns
Summary
The Ellis County Commission voted 3-0 to approve a two‑parcel split for 1478 Jeffrey Avenue (Hayes), after staff warned the site relies on private Jeffrey Drive and that the resulting lots would be smaller than the county's 2‑acre minimum but grandfathered by existing wells and septic.
Ellis County commissioners on Thursday approved a proposed lot split for 1478 Jeffrey Avenue in Hayes, voting 3-0 to allow the property to be divided into two residential parcels.
County staff and speakers at the meeting said the existing entrance, Jeffrey Drive, is privately maintained and there is currently no county right-of-way serving the parcel. Public‑works staff cautioned that adding a second entrance close to the existing drive could create traffic‑spacing concerns on a 55 mph roadway and recommended a single easement and entrance if possible.
The split would create parcels smaller than the county’s stated 2‑acre minimum for new lots. Bill Jeter (commenter during the hearing) noted the county’s environmental code calls for a 2‑acre minimum, but that the site’s wells and septic predate the zoning regulations and are therefore grandfathered. The applicant and owner representatives said the split is being offered for residential use; they confirmed any commercial reuse, such as returning a former countertop shop to commercial operation, would require a separate rezoning application.
Commissioners asked whether an easement existed between neighboring property owners; staff said no written easement was found in county records. Applicants said they had approached neighboring owners about purchasing a sliver of land to widen access, but the owners declined. The applicant noted the southern neighboring parcel is expected to come to market, and that purchasing then could be an option, though no guarantee of sale was promised.
A motion to approve the proposed lot split was made, seconded and carried 3-0. The action will create two residential parcels at 1478 Jeffrey Avenue with the access and septic conditions described above. Commissioners did not adopt any change to county minimum‑lot‑size policy during the meeting, and staff emphasized that any future commercial use would require a rezoning application and formal review.
The county record shows the parcel owner currently uses part of an existing building as a one‑bedroom apartment; presenters said that residential occupancy does not change the present requirement that any commercial reuse follow normal rezoning procedures.
