Burke County Adopts Formal Policy and $300 Fee for Road‑closure Requests; Cleveland Drive to Proceed Under Prior Request

Burke County adopted a formal policy for processing requests to close (abandon) public roads and set a $300 application fee to cover advertising and research costs.

County staff told the commission the policy standardizes steps for petitioners: a completed application describing the road segment, a petition showing adjacent property‑owner support, payment of a fee to cover advertising and initial research, mailed notices to adjacent owners, and at least one public hearing. Staff said the fee is intended to cover ad costs (estimated at about $90 per ad) and mailing expenses; more complex cases may incur additional charges.

Resident Victoria Boyd asked whether abandonment and closure are the same process; staff confirmed they are. Commissioners clarified that requests filed before the meeting would be processed under the prior procedure and would be “grandfathered” so current research on Cleveland Drive could proceed toward a hearing in June (worst case July). The policy also includes a two‑year waiting period before a petitioner may reapply if a request is denied.

Commissioner Nicks moved to adopt the policy and set the fee at $300 effective immediately; Commissioner Lively seconded the motion and the motion carried. Staff said they would conduct the required research and advertise as required by the policy and aim to place Cleveland Drive on the June agenda for public hearing.