Neighbors and commissioner cite fire‑access, private‑drive concerns and board defers land division request

Anthony Mitchell, representing heirs to a six‑acre, landlocked parcel at 2988 Saundersville Ferry Road, asked the board to permit subdivision of the tract into four building lots without public road frontage. Staff replied that the zoning ordinance requires 50 feet of public road frontage and that because the lot predates the ordinance it would presently be entitled to one residential building permit, so staff could not recommend approval of the proposed division.

Neighbors, including Chad Cheatham, told the board the private drive that serves 12 homes is a narrow, single‑lane private road they maintain themselves; they said adding multiple building lots would increase construction traffic and pose turnaround and emergency‑access challenges. Commissioner Lauren Breeze, who said she had driven the private drive with the county fire chief, raised fire‑access concerns and urged caution. The applicant asked for a deferral after hearing opposition and to confer with heirs and neighbors; the board granted the deferral until the applicant requests the matter be returned to the agenda.