Commissioners move to deny abandonment request for St. Simons alleyway after staff and neighbor raise access concerns

Glynn County engineering staff recommended denying an abandonment request for a segment of right-of-way on St. Simons Island after staff identified ongoing public use and utility concerns and a nearby resident objected.

Engineering Director Jason Hartman presented abandonment application AB 24-2 concerning Lot 13 in an Ashe Beach subdivision (parcel 04-03273, 1629 Bruce Drive). Hartman said the section proposed for abandonment is an easement that has been open and used for several years and that Georgia Power and Glynn County Public Works asked to retain easements for power and drainage across the area. He said staff’s recommendation was denial because the public currently uses the alleyway for access and utilities and because the abandonment would remove those public benefits.

Commissioners and staff reviewed photographs and aerial plat views. A neighbor identified in staff materials, Julie Collins of 1623 Bruce Drive, was cited as opposing the abandonment; Hartman said she uses the area to access her home and was concerned that a new owner could block passage or place a fence. Commissioners noted the alleyway appears improved and in regular use.

An unidentified commissioner moved to deny the abandonment application and the motion was seconded. The transcript records the motion and second but does not record a clear roll-call or voice vote result for that motion in the available segments.

The record shows county staff recommended denial and that at least one neighbor objected. The transcript does not show a completed recorded vote for AB 24-2; the board's final recorded disposition of the application is not specified in the provided transcript segments.