Bell County court approves abandonment of a small Lake Belton access despite concern about transferring county land to private owner

Bell County Commissioners Court voted to approve a resolution to abandon a 0.97-acre track described in county records as an access to Lake Belton in the Cedar Cove subdivision, staff said.

County staff (Speaker 3) told the court the parcel—platted in 1954 and shown as one of three access points to Lake Belton—runs approximately 30 feet wide by about 140 feet and lies between two lots owned by the same adjacent property owner. Staff said an affidavit filed June 20 by James Foster, on file with the clerk, states the filer does not object to the abandonment. Staff also noted other nearby access routes remain and described the parcel as a narrow strip that currently provides access primarily to the property behind it.

During discussion, Speaker 4 objected to the approach, saying, “This is the second time that I can remember that we are considering abandoning county property to a builder. This is obviously a business company that's gonna profit from that acquisition, that abandonment, and we're just gonna give it to them as opposed to selling it to them, which is an option.” Speaker 3 responded that selling versus abandoning is a decision for the court.

A motion to approve the abandonment was made by Commissioner Schneider and seconded by Commissioner Woodson; the presiding officer called for the vote and the motion carried.

Why it matters: County land actions can change public access and property rights along Lake Belton’s shoreline. Staff told the court the parcel in question does not currently provide practical access to the lake and that adjacent access routes remain, while one member of the court raised concerns about transferring value without a sale.

Next steps: The court recorded the abandonment resolution as approved; no further procedural steps were stated on the record at the meeting.