The Burke County Board of Commissioners approved a motion to close Magruder Road from Cobb Road to the Jefferson County line, subject to an easement for drainage ditches to allow county maintenance of an alternative access route.

The closure drew public comment from residents who said they regularly use the road to reach churches and nearby destinations and from landowners and a farm representative who said cattle crossings, poor road condition, and maintenance gaps on the Jefferson County side justify closure. Thomas Stone, a resident who said he attends Union Belcher Baptist Church on Magruder Road, told the board the road has been used by residents for decades and expressed opposition to closure. Tommy Watkins, whose family operates C.R. Malir Corporation and farms both sides of the road, described farm operations, irrigation infrastructure that runs under Magruder Road, and maintenance problems; Watkins said he was willing to provide an easement to allow county work on Cobb Road drainage in exchange for the closure.

Commissioners noted Jefferson County objected to the closure and had raised concerns in a letter placed in the record because the county’s portion would dead‑end at the Burke/Jefferson line. Commissioners discussed travel time increases on alternate routes and the cost to upgrade the Jefferson County portion to the same standard. Commissioner Lively moved to close Magruder Road contingent on obtaining an easement from the farm owner for drainage ditches on Cobb Road; the motion passed with a recorded voice vote.

The board directed staff to document the easement terms and coordinate with Jefferson County on the implications of the closure. No timeline for the physical closure or related construction was provided at the meeting.