Yadkin County approves partial abandonment of Bell Schoolhouse and Harrison roads

The Yadkin County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on June 2 to approve two petitions to remove sections of local roads from the State Maintenance System and to abandon them as secondary roads, transferring maintenance responsibility to adjacent property owners.

Bell Schoolhouse Road: Proponents told the board all four surrounding property owners support closing a portion of Bell Schoolhouse Road. Jody Hatcher thanked the board for considering the request and said the petitioners had worked with County Manager Lisa Hughes and the state. Susan Johnson, speaking on behalf of her 94-year-old mother who has lived on the road since 1950, said closing the road just past her mother’s house would reduce dumped trash and unwanted recreational vehicle traffic. County Manager Hughes explained that removing the road from the State Maintenance System means the North Carolina Department of Transportation will no longer be responsible for that portion of the road and that the private property owners along the roadbed will assume maintenance. Emergency Services and the West Yadkin Fire Department confirmed that the closure would not negatively affect 911 response. Following the public hearing, the board approved the partial abandonment by a 4-0 vote.

Harrison Road: The board also considered a request to abandon 1,820 feet of Harrison Road (State Road 1412) as a secondary road. Tony Hine, a resident at 1744 Harrison Road, said his family and neighbors support the closure and that prior closures reduced recreational misuse. Staff said the county previously had 1,820 ft removed from State maintenance in 2023 and that adjacent property owners own the roadbed. After no speakers opposed the measure, the board approved the requested abandonment by a 4-0 vote.

Why it matters: Abandoning a road as a secondary road removes State maintenance responsibility and can reduce unwanted through-traffic, but it places maintenance obligations on private property owners. County staff said emergency-service access was reviewed and would not be hindered.

What the record shows: Both public hearings drew no opposition; the board recorded 4-0 votes to approve each abandonment within the public meeting held June 2.