Warrenton Subdivision Nixed

Fayette County Commissioners denied a request for a variance to the County’s subdivision regulations at a meeting last Thursday, Jan. 27

Kevin Ullrich, who lives on FM 954 in Warrenton, wanted to split his 30.205 acre property into two tracts of 1.742 acres and 28.463 acres. Ullrich said he wanted to split and sell the 1.742 acre residential tract to give the rest of his property some more privacy.

County subdivision regulations stipulate minimum lot sizes of 2 acres for septic systems.

“I understand what the rules are and why they’re in place,” Ullrich told the court. “I also know what the state rule is, which is a half acre. Two acres seems a little excessive but I understand why you have the rule in place. I’m not subdividing my whole property. I’m just selling off a piece of it because there have been a lot of changes since I built my house out there.”

Ullrich said an easement on the northwest side of his property has become increasingly busy with traffic due to the development of antiques venues nearby.

“I just want to sell off a little bit and I don’t want to lose any land that I don’t have to lose,” Ullrich said.

“All this is going to do is open up a can of worms for everybody,” said Pct. 3 Commissioner Harvey Berckenhoff. “I had one guy in my precinct who asked for the same thing and I told him no. It’s a two acre minimum. If we’re going to change the rule for everybody, then there’s no need having the rules.”

Berckenhoff said other landowners would ask for the same thing if Commissioners approved Ullrich’s request.

“It’s close enough to two acres,” Ullrich said. “I understand the rule, but the state rule says a half acre is all they require.”

“If there was a creek or something in the way, I could understand, but it’s wide open land,” said Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom. “If it was 1.99 acres, I think we’d probably give you a variance for it. It’s a little far off from two acres right now.”

Commissioners voted unanimously to deny the request.