Commissioners discuss private drives; ask residents not to spend for surveys before county response

Meriwether County commissioners discussed repeated requests from residents to convert private drives to county roads and signaled they will not begin a broad acceptance process without clear standards and limits.

Commissioner King summarized historical reasons many private drives were named (911 addressing) and urged caution before promising to accept private lanes. Commissioners expressed concern about opening a process that could require the county to accept many private drives if residents or developers survey and deed them to the county at private expense.

The board did not commit to automatically taking on private drives. Commissioners said any resident who wishes the county to consider a road for acceptance must provide the survey and quitclaim deeds and that the board will only review such requests after staff and legal review. Commissioners asked county administration to notify petitioning residents that completing surveying and title work is at their cost and that a submission does not guarantee county acceptance.

After discussion, the board instructed administration to inform affected residents of the process and to avoid encouraging residents to spend money until they understand the legal and financial implications. The earlier motion to table consideration until required documents were provided remains in effect; staff will follow up and the item will return for consideration after the county receives the requested materials.