Fayette County Commission approves vacation of Front Street in Bridal subdivision

The Fayette County Commission on Feb. 5 approved a petition to vacate Front Street in the Bridal subdivision following a public hearing.

Erwin Conrad, attorney for petitioners Steven and Tonja Davis, told the commission the street had been unused for about 10 years and the notice for the hearing had been published twice in advance. "They seek the closure and vacation of a street unused, hadn't been used for 10 year," Conrad said, adding that the prosecuting attorney had been given the application to review and that executives at MCNB and FA County National Bank had joined the petition in consent.

Petitioner Steven J. Davis, who identified himself as chairman of the Fayette County Solid Waste Authority, testified he and his wife own the lots adjoining the right-of-way and that the street "has not been used" since before they purchased the property. Commissioners asked whether Parcel 24 would be affected and whether the right-of-way should be split or consolidated; county staff noted that when an abandonment occurs the right-of-way often is divided between adjoining parcels, but because the Davises own the neighboring lots the assessor could convert the right-of-way into a single parcel titled to them.

County legal staff confirmed the petition was in proper form. A commissioner moved to approve the abandonment petition; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

After the vote commissioners discussed filing and advertising requirements and confirmed that original paperwork would be filed with the county clerk.

The approval transfers the county's interest in the unused segment of Front Street to private ownership subject to any recorded encumbrances. The petitioners and county staff will complete the required deeds and filings to effect the vacation.