Glynn County delays decision on East Beach alley abandonment after neighbors raise drainage concerns

The Glynn County Board of Commissioners on March 20 unanimously deferred a decision on AB-24-1, an application to abandon a 20-foot unimproved alley between 1700 Ocean Road and 4316 Third Street, after residents and county staff raised concerns about drainage and maintenance.

The abandonment application from David Smith would relinquish a portion of a 20-foot drainage and utility easement that, according to staff, has been used mainly for drainage and utilities rather than as a public alley. County engineering staff said a sanitary sewer line previously in the easement was relocated in fall 2024 and that the easement continues to serve drainage and utility functions.

Neighbors said the area already floods during high tides, nor'easters and tropical storms, and urged the commission to postpone action until engineering studies and clearer plans are submitted. Michael Huggins, a property owner at 4315 Third Street, said, "my main concern is, the drainage situation we have," and asked that the county not jeopardize an existing drainage path. Steve Scheinbaum, co-owner of the adjacent 4316 property, asked the board to "delay this project to get a hydrology study done on this project" and questioned how county crews would access and maintain any relocated culvert mouth.

A technical description presented to the board said the abandonment area includes an existing outfall pipe and that public works would continue to maintain drainage at the outfall. A representative for the applicant, Drew Miller of Robert Civil, described a design approach that would install a 60-foot, 18-inch pipe and regrade the surface above it; he said the plan would include inlets and a high point to direct flow toward the new pipe. County engineering staff said they had not received design submittals for piping and were treating the matter as a property-line abandonment unless a distinct drainage project was formally proposed.

Public works leadership noted routine maintenance questions if the pipe mouth and ditch are located farther from the street. Director Smith said maintenance "is going to require maintenance from time to time" and that vegetation and leaf litter are typical contributors to sediment and clogging, but that county crews could still access the outfall.

County attorney and staff input prompted a motion to defer so engineering could review the project details if the applicant chooses to pursue piping or other drainage modifications in addition to the abandonment. Commissioner Dennis Duncan moved to defer; Commissioner Toxterson seconded (other commissioners also recorded support). The motion to defer to the second meeting in April passed unanimously.

The board recommended the applicant communicate with immediate neighbors before returning with any revised plans; the applicant's representatives said owners were out of town but that they would pursue follow-up. The deferral leaves the existing easement and drainage regime in place until staff completes further review or the applicant files a formal drainage project application.