The Oldham County Board of Adjustments and Appeals approved a 300-foot road-frontage variance on Jan. 15 for a proposed 5-acre lot at 1815 Dawkins Road in LaGrange, clearing the way for the Joplin Family Farm LLC to create a new parcel (Tract 3) served by an existing access easement.

Senior planner Anna Barge told the board the property sits in AG1 and CO1 zoning and that the newly proposed tract would have 0 feet of road frontage, triggering a 300-foot variance under county rules. Barge noted a related minor plat and a prior October 2024 variance for a different tract at the same address and recommended conditions that would limit the variance to this application and require a minor plat, a shared road maintenance agreement and a survey before any building permits are issued.

Valerie Shannon, representing Joplin Family Farm LLC, said the farm has been in the family since 1970 and that the family seeks to preserve the farming operation while allowing family members to build homes. "I would ask that the board consider granting the 300 foot road frontage requirement," Shannon said, describing the proposed lot as accessed by the same paved driveway and existing easement used to reach the original farmhouse.

Board members asked staff and the applicant to confirm the existence of a road maintenance agreement; Shannon confirmed such an agreement was prepared when the original farmhouse tract was created. A board member moved to approve the variance, stating the evidence showed the request would not adversely affect public health, safety or welfare or alter the character of the vicinity and that conditions would be applied to this hearing only. The board recorded affirmative votes and approved the variance with the conditions recommended by staff.

The variance is limited to the application heard on Jan. 15, 2026; the board required that the applicant submit a minor plat application, a shared road maintenance agreement and a survey for staff review and approval prior to issuance of any building permits. The board’s approval does not itself create building permits or finalize plats; those administrative steps remain subject to staff review and recording.