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Commissioners approve subdivision variance despite neighbor concerns on Griffin Lesh Lane
Summary
Washington County granted a variance to divide a 9.12‑acre tract near Griffin Lesh Lane into four lots after staff said the proposal met county and state standards; nearby residents raised traffic and character concerns.
Washington County Commissioners Court on Jan. 13 approved a subdivision variance request to divide a 9.12‑acre parent tract fronting Griffin Lesh Lane into four lots, despite objections from nearby residents who warned of increased traffic and loss of rural character.
William Christiansen, who said he lives at the end of Griffin Lesh Lane, told the court that when he bought his property in 2012 there were no residences along the road and that several new houses and an event venue have appeared since then. “Adding three more” homes, he said, will add traffic on the county’s gravel road and affect neighbors’ quality of life.
County engineering staff explained the request (a 4‑acre retained lot, a 2‑acre corner lot and two 1.5‑acre lots) meets county, state and federal requirements and that the court historically has allowed similar four‑lot divisions under current precedent. Staff noted Texas law limits the court’s options and that, by statute, subdivisions can become automatically approved if the court takes no action within prescribed time frames.
A commissioner said the issue points to a broader need to revisit the county’s subdivision manual to address changing development patterns. After discussion, a motion to approve the variance was made, seconded and adopted by voice vote.
The court recorded no conditions beyond the standard approval; staff noted the option remains to require the full planning process for future requests.
