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Plan commission adds 'access way' definition to subdivision draft and sends it to public hearing
Summary
The Washington County Plan Commission voted to add a definitions appendix — including a clarified 50-foot 'access way' definition — and approved sending the revised subdivision control ordinance to a public hearing at the April meeting.
The Washington County Plan Commission voted to add a definitions appendix to its draft subdivision control ordinance and to send the revised draft to a public hearing.
Emily, the staff presenter, told commissioners the draft contained conflicting language about when a residential parcel qualifies for administrative platting. "The way it's originally written, it says for applicability of an administrative subdivision that you need to have 50 ft of deed access to be considered residential," she said, and she recommended clarifying that the 50-foot access be conveyed in fee simple (owned) to distinguish it from easements.
Commissioners debated how prescriptive the text should be. Several members urged a short, clear definition of "access way" and placement in an appendix or the document's definition section to avoid unintended consequences for landowners. One member said the purpose of the 50-foot standard was to ensure emergency and utility access, and another warned that overly rigid language could impose undue burdens on owners of smaller parcels.
After discussion, a motion to add a definitions appendix (including an access-way definition) was made, seconded and carried by voice vote. The commission also approved a new advisory statement added to the draft and a related clarification that parcels failing to meet administrative criteria could be treated as minor subdivisions with recorded maintenance agreements for shared easements.
The commission then voted to send the revised draft to a public hearing at its April meeting. Commissioners and staff distributed model ordinances from Harrison County and others for review and asked members to return with questions. The commission did not adopt final ordinance language; it approved only the addition of definitions and the referral to public hearing.
What happens next: the commission will publish public notice and hold the public hearing; any further changes will be drafted after public comment and returned to the plan commission for action.
