Ware County hears mixed public comments and tables vote on Center Street right‑of‑way closure

Ware County commissioners on an evening agenda heard a public hearing and extensive comments before voting to table a request to close an unopened portion of the Center Street right‑of‑way.

County staff described the parcel as a recorded but never‑constructed 50‑foot by roughly 400‑foot right‑of‑way from an old plat near the intersection of South Augusta and Carswell. Dustin, county staff, told commissioners the road has not been maintained or used for decades and that closing it would eliminate future grading and maintenance costs and return the strip to the tax rolls. "This is basically a recap from last month... from Dave Pool to close existing right of way for Center Street," Dustin said in his presentation.

Nearby property owners spoke against the closure, saying the platted lines gave them an expectation of access when they purchased their land. "We do own the land that is above it," said Lawrence, who identified himself during public comment. He and his wife, Heather, said the ditch and an existing fence at an adjacent car dealership block easy access and that the alternatives they can find would require crossing other private property. Lawrence asked the commission, "Without that access, what other viable access is there to that side of the property?"

Commissioners and staff discussed engineering alternatives, including installing a culvert across the ditch so vehicles could reach the parcel. County staff noted that a culvert could provide access but raised concerns about clogging and downstream impacts, and that the county would need to determine who would pay for pipe and fill. County counsel framed the legal issue: because the right‑of‑way was platted but never used or deeded and the county has not maintained it, the strip is effectively "in limbo" and is appropriately handled through the road‑closure process being used at the hearing.

An applicant supporter who said he relies on an existing driveway urged closure on safety grounds. "I'd love to get that road closed to where I don't have to worry about them and being a public road," he said, describing concerns for his grandchildren.

After hearing both sides, commissioners voted to table the item and requested that staff or consultants inspect the ditch and estimate culvert size, cost and feasibility before bringing the road‑closure back for decision. The motion to table passed with a majority; commissioners said tabling would avoid leaving neighbors permanently landlocked while giving the commission technical information it needs.

The public hearing on the Center Street request remains open for the record and the board directed staff to report back with engineering findings and cost estimates for a culvert and related access improvements. The commission took no final action to close the right‑of‑way at this meeting.