Driveway request for 1676 County Highway N denied until town zoning confirmation

The Adams County Highway Committee on a voice vote denied an application to add a second driveway at 1676 County Highway N and asked the applicant to provide written confirmation from the town about zoning restrictions before the committee will revisit the request.

Mr. Chair said the highway department had denied the permit because "the ordinance only allows for one access point per tax parcel." Committee members questioned whether the parcel could be split and whether the town's zoning would permit two dwellings.

Applicant Mr. Crump told the committee he could not subdivide the parcel, that trees and an existing septic system block alternate driveway locations, and that "there's really no other options." He also said a new structure would be built on the parcel; when asked whether the second unit would be used as a residence he said his intention was not to make it habitable as a second residence.

Committee members said they were willing to revisit the appeal if the applicant returned with a written town determination. A motion by Scott to deny the driveway application "until we get more information from the homeowner on his zoning issues" was seconded by Phil and carried.

Next steps: the committee asked Mr. Crump to secure written, conclusive confirmation from the town that the secondary unit will not be occupied as a residence (for example, a planning/zoning letter or a condition on a permit) and return the item to the committee for reconsideration.