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Ware County schedules Dec. 8 decision on proposed Center Street closure after mixed public comment
Summary
The Ware County Board of Commissioners held a Nov. 10 public hearing on a request to close a roughly 50-by-400-foot unopened section of Center Street. The applicant cited child safety; nearby property owners opposed the loss of access. The board added the item to its Dec. 8 regular meeting agenda for final action.
The Ware County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 10 heard competing views on a request to close and abandon an approximately 50-foot-by-400-foot unopened section of Center Street in Waycross, and scheduled a final decision for the board’s Dec. 8 regular meeting.
Interim Planning Director Dustin Minchew summarized the request: applicant Dale Poole seeks to abandon the unopened right-of-way, which runs parallel to South Augusta Avenue, and convert the cleared strip where he installed a culvert into a private, closed driveway. "I paid to have the driveway installed, and my grandchildren love to play outside," Poole said, arguing that leaving the road open would be a safety risk for his family.
Opponents included Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Kirkhart of 2432 Carswell Avenue, who said their 30-acre parcel extends behind Poole’s property and is divided by a 4-foot ditch that makes access difficult. The Kirkharts told commissioners they have considered a farmstand and constructing homes on that portion of their land and said losing the unopened roadway would hinder access. They also noted the property owner at the Ketterer Street entrance has erected a fence that they say was "grandfathered in," limiting alternate entry.
Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Herzog advised the board that some may contend the strip was never a county road, but she recommended reviewing any evidence that the road was platted and used. Commissioners looked at aerial photos and maps and discussed options to preserve the Kirkharts’ access, including installing a culvert where the ditch divides their property; minutes note evidence of logging equipment crossing the ditch in aerial imagery.
No formal action to abandon the roadway was taken at the hearing. Commissioner Jon Tindall moved to close the public hearing; Commissioner Leonard Burse seconded and the motion "passed unanimously," and the hearing was recorded closed at 6:40 p.m. The board placed the road-closure request on the agenda for its Dec. 8, 2025 meeting for further consideration and potential final action.
The hearing record includes addresses for speakers and staff contact information in the minutes; the board’s next regular meeting on Dec. 8 will be the next opportunity for a formal vote on the proposed closure.
