Bryan County approves property acquisitions for Brisbane Road and Harris Trail pedestrian improvements

The Bryan County Board of Commissioners approved two land-acquisition actions tied to the Brisbane Road/Harris Trail pedestrian improvements project, voting to accept a negotiated right-of-way payment and to authorize condemnation proceedings for a second parcel.

County officials voted to accept a $3,993.80 payment to purchase fee‑simple right‑of‑way and easement interests from tax parcel 54068008, owned by DSP 13 Developers, Inc., for property on Brisbane Road. "This 1 is consideration of a resolution to acquire fee simple right of way and easements from tax parcel 54068008," the County Attorney said during the meeting, describing the payment and the location.

The board also approved a declaration of taking order and resolution to condemn parcel 05406804, owned by Halls Lane V LLC and Halls Lane VI LLC, to acquire land needed for the same pedestrian improvements. The County Attorney said the appraised value for that parcel is $42,084 and explained the next steps: if the board authorizes the filing, the county will deposit the appraised amount into the court, the property owners will be served and will have at least 30 days to contest the appraisal and present their own evidence.

"If you approve this resolution, this authorizes us to proceed with filing the court action and depositing that amount into the court," the County Attorney said, describing the statutory condemnation process and the owners' right to dispute valuation.

Commissioner Gage moved the motion to approve the right‑of‑way acquisition for parcel 54068008, and a colleague seconded; the board carried the motion. A separate motion to approve the declaration of taking and begin condemnation proceedings for parcel 05406804 also passed after a second. The meeting record shows the motions carried; vote tallies and individual vote names were not specified in the transcript.

Chair comments at the start of the meeting noted low public attendance: "I think that's the first meeting we've ever had with only 3 people from the public show up," the Chair said. No further public testimony on the acquisitions is recorded in the transcript.

Both actions are described by county staff as part of the Brisbane Road/Harris Trail Pedestrian Improvements Project. The condemnation authorization does not itself set a final compensation amount; the deposited appraised value may be adjusted through the court process if the owners successfully dispute the appraisal.

The board adjourned following the two items; no other actions related to the pedestrian project were recorded in the provided transcript.