Oconee commissioners approve variances allowing longer private drive, more lots at Salem Road tract

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 approved two variances for JLE Farms LLC affecting a 181.41-acre tract at 2361 Salem Road, permitting a private access drive longer than the 2,000-foot limit in the Unified Development Code and allowing seven lots to use the private drive.

County staff presented the requests—variance P25-0248 to extend the maximum private access drive to roughly 3,005 feet and variance P25-0249 to raise the limit of lots allowed on a private access easement from five to seven. Staff recommended conditional approval of P25-0248 with three standard conditions, and recommended denial of P25-0249. The planning staff noted the main safety rationale for the 2,000-foot limit is fire and emergency access.

Frank Pittman, the project engineer representing the property owner (JLE Farms), told commissioners the layout would create seven 25-acre tracts and argued the variances would reduce overall disturbance and improve emergency access by consolidating driveways into a single paved access with cul-de-sacs and pull-offs. "We're not here asking for approval of a subdivision nor a rezone," Pittman said, adding the design was intended "to put everything in one driveway instead of three." He said the owner could legally create seven 25-acre lots under current zoning and that the variances were intended to produce a safer, less fragmented layout.

Multiple nearby residents urged the board to deny the requests, citing rural character, traffic, potential effects on wells and creeks, unmarked graves, and the capacity of local volunteer fire services. Lynn Carson said the land had been in her family for more than 60 years and warned the plan would "greatly impact my life" and the community's rural character. "I'm just asking that y'all very carefully consider this request," Carson said, noting concerns over water, erosion and the lack of hydrants in Farmington.

Commissioners asked staff to clarify alternatives. Staff explained that denying the variances would not prevent division of the property into seven lots under the AG zoning if configured with frontage along Salem Road; it would, however, likely result in additional separate driveways and more flag lots in the rear, which staff and the applicant argued would increase disturbance and pose emergency-access challenges. Staff said the applicant proposed two cul-de-sacs and other mitigations to address access and emergency-service concerns.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve variance P25-0248 with the three standard conditions listed by staff; the motion carried by voice vote. The board then moved to approve variance P25-0249 with the same three conditions; that motion also carried by voice vote.

The approvals allow the applicant to proceed under the approved variances; the board did not record a roll-call tally in the public record for either motion beyond the voice votes taken at the meeting.

Next steps noted in the meeting record: the private access drive design must receive public works and fire plan review approval and be constructed to UDC requirements at the owner's expense prior to issuance of the first certificate of occupancy, per staff-recommended conditions.