Christian County sets July 10 hearing on petition to vacate portion of Holder Road after residents file remonstrance

Christian County officials announced May 15 that a public hearing will be held at 9 a.m. July 10, 2025, in the second-floor courtroom of the Administrative Building, 100 West Church Street, Ozark, to consider a petition to vacate a portion of Holder Road.

Commissioners read a formal notice describing the segment to be vacated — beginning at the center line intersection of Kerr Road and Holder Road and extending north along the Holder Road center line for specified distances totaling the segment identified in the petition — and directed the county clerk to prepare and post notice in conformity with state law. The county cited the statutory process under state law for road vacation petitions.

A written remonstrance against the proposed vacation was read into the record by Western Commissioner Johnny Williams. The remonstrance, submitted by residents, states that the portion of Holder Road at issue "was recognized as a county road in 1875 and has been in continuous use" and alleges that closing the segment would "significantly inconvenience the community" and "adversely affect property rights." It asserts that, "on information and belief," the segment carries about "1,500 to 1,600 vehicles" per day, that school buses for the Clever School District use the road daily, and that there is no viable alternate route to accommodate current traffic. The remonstrance also noted organized opposition, citing a private Facebook group called "Say No to Holder Road Closure" with more than 1,400 members.

Why it matters: a road vacation could change access to private properties, affect emergency response routes and school transportation, and influence land values and future development. The remonstrance asks the commission to deny the petition and to allow the signers and other residents to testify at the commission hearing.

The commission emphasized logistics for the July 10 hearing, saying they will add extra seating to the courtroom and that residents may watch the hearing live on the county’s YouTube channel if the room reaches capacity. The commission also reminded the public that written remonstrances may be mailed to the commission to be received prior to the hearing or submitted in person at the hearing.

Authorities and process: the notice and remonstrance cited the statutory road-vacation process under the Revised Statutes of Missouri; the notice sets the hearing date and instructs interested persons they will be given an opportunity to present testimony and evidence pursuant to the applicable statute.

Next steps: the public hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 10, 2025, at the county Administrative Building courtroom; the commission invited interested persons to submit written remonstrances prior to the hearing or to testify in person.

Ending: Commissioners said they will review testimony and evidence presented at the hearing before making a decision and urged residents to follow the July 10 hearing instructions for submitting comments and evidence.