Developers ask to pave portion of Ellis Road; commissioners table request pending ordinance review

Chisholmille Homes representatives appeared before the Board of Commissioners on Oct. 28 seeking permission to pave the first 2,000 feet of Ellis Road, beginning at Forest Road, and asking that the county—s Public Works department provide a quote if the county were willing to perform the work.

Brandon Laird, speaking for Chisholmille, said the applicants have engineered the work to county standards and planned all work within the county right of way. He said the paving would improve curb appeal for planned residential lots and that the developers intended to pay for the work.

County staff reiterated that Meriwether County Public Works is not permitted to perform private, fee‑for‑service paving for private developers; any privately funded construction must be completed by a licensed private contractor and brought to the board for consideration if the developer wants the roadway accepted into the county maintenance system. Commissioners discussed the effect of partially paving only a segment of a long gravel road and whether partial paving would change minimum lot sizes under county ordinances.

Several commissioners said they wanted to review ordinance language and implications for lot‑size rules and acceptances into the maintenance system before taking action. The board voted to table the developer—s request and directed staff to return with a review of the zoning/road ordinance and guidance on whether partial paving could change lot‑size rules or require full‑road paving prior to any change in subdivision minimums.