Bladen County commissioners approve private-road names, discuss maintenance and 911 access

Bladen County commissioners on July 21 approved a set of private-road name requests for a campground expansion and spent extended discussion on who is responsible for maintaining private roads marked with county "blue" signs after residents and emergency providers reported access problems.

The commissioners approved new private-road names submitted as part of an expansion at Sandy Ridge Campground, including Otter Trail, Rabbit Trail, Owl Trail, Panther Trail, Deer Trail, Fox Trail, Bear Trail, Wolf Trail, Turtle Trail and Elk Trail. Commissioners also approved other private-road requests discussed during the meeting, including Auction Lane and a proposed Yahweh Lane (the board recorded the applicant’s alternate choices during the discussion). Those requests were presented as routine 911/road-name items and were accepted by voice vote.

The approvals came amid a longer conversation about recurring safety and service gaps on privately maintained roads. Planning staff said the new road names will be added to the county’s GIS so 911 dispatch will locate addresses on those roads. Commissioners and residents noted that blue-sign private roads often become impassable after storms or heavy rain, blocking emergency vehicles.

"If you can't get a fire truck, ambulance or law enforcement to someone's house, that's a subject we need to address," said a commissioner during the discussion. Commissioners noted the county is not the long-term maintainer of private roads and said state adoption rules once allowed more roads to be accepted into the public system but those programs have changed.

County staff and several commissioners suggested homeowners or community groups consider organized maintenance plans and stated some veteran or senior-assistance programs may help with one-off repairs. Commissioners asked staff to compile guidance for property owners about the implications of private-road status and the county's role in naming versus maintaining roads.

The board voted on each naming request by voice; the meeting record shows the items passed with no roll-call tallies provided in the transcript.

The board also discussed the cost and availability of county-branded transportation signs. A staff member reported the specially made Bladen County signs cost about $600 each for 72-by-42-inch signs and about $300 for 48-by-30-inch signs; the smallest standard county sign is provided without charge. Commissioners said they would revisit how many signs to order and whether the county should pay for replacement signs currently missing from some roads.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to (1) add the newly approved names to the GIS/911 map and (2) return with recommended policy language or guidance describing what private-road status means for residents and emergency response. No change to county maintenance responsibilities was adopted at the meeting.