County Looks To Change Ordinance Requiring 3/4 Acre Building Lot To 1/2 Acre In Sewer Areas

Darren Doyle, story:
An area developer spoke at today's fiscal court meeting about having a change made to the minimum 3/4 of an acre requirement for building purposes in Edmonson County.

The current ordinance, EC-97-01, states that the minimum land area for a building lot in Edmonson County must be 3/4 of an acre in order to accommodate proper drainage and septic system requirements. 

Frank Hayes, a property developer, has asked for a change in that requirement to be lessened to 1/2 acre in areas where structures can be placed on the new county sewer system and do not require septic systems with the accompanying drainage.

Judge Executive Wil Cannon said the local health department has advised that 3/4 of an acre is not necessary for drainage if a structure is placed on the sewer system. Cannon said that a new ordinance could be written that would reflect the change.

He also advised the court that provisions would be made in order to ensure new structures falling under the new ordinance would be placed on the sewer system.

The sewer is not available to all parts of the county outside the Brownsville city limits and mainly apply to the Chalybeate area.

County Attorney Greg Vincent said he would start the process for a new ordinance, which can take several weeks to complete.

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