Resident urges board to ask GDOT to stop Vogel Parkway; commissioners agree to draft resolution

Bill Lively, a Burke County resident, told the Board of Commissioners that the planned Vogel Parkway segment would cross farmland, remove tax base and that “not 1 person thinks that road's needed or warranted.”

The request followed discussion of the project’s history and route; Lively said he learned the project had resumed after years of dormancy and quoted advice from State Sen. Max Burns that the county should formally ask the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to rescind the segment. Lively asked the board to send the proposed resolution to GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry, Gov. Brian Kemp, Sen. Burns and Rep. Myers and to ask that the money be reallocated to higher-priority work.

Commissioners discussed whether to meet with their state delegation and to confirm the project’s status before finalizing any resolution. Chairman and other commissioners said it would be sensible to first meet with state officials to learn the process and whether funds could be reallocated; staff noted the matter is time sensitive because GDOT has begun surveying property lines.

Commissioner Nicks moved that the board draft a resolution asking GDOT to rescind the Vogel Parkway segment; Commissioner Kelly seconded the motion. The motion carried; staff will draft the resolution for the board to consider, and commissioners indicated they may hold a called work session and invite Sen. Burns to attend.

The board did not adopt or send the resolution at the meeting; the action taken was to direct staff to prepare a draft for later board consideration.