Raeford council approves closing a portion of South Bethel Road after public hearing

The Raeford City Council voted unanimously Nov. 7 to adopt Resolution No. 2022-11 ordering the closure of a portion of South Bethel Road between High School Street and College Drive.

Councilman John Jordan moved to open the public hearing, a motion seconded by Councilman Wayne Willis. After no members of the public raised objections, Councilman Charles Allen moved to close the hearing and Councilwoman Mary Neil King moved to adopt the street-closing resolution; both motions were seconded and the final adoption carried with Councilmen John Jordan, Robert Conoly, Wayne Willis, Charles Allen and Councilwoman Mary Neil King voting in the affirmative.

The resolution describes the section to be closed as beginning at the intersection with High School Street and continuing south for approximately 850 feet, comprising about one acre, and authorizes the City to execute quitclaim deeds conveying any public street interest to the abutting property owners under North Carolina General Statute 160A-299. The city reserves existing utility and drainage easements of record within the closed street. The City Clerk is directed to file a certified copy of the resolution in the Hoke County Register of Deeds.

The action follows public notice requirements: the City Clerk certified that notices were posted and that abutting property owners were notified by registered or certified mail and provided a copy of the Resolution of Intent. The mayor and city clerk were authorized to execute the deeds necessary to vest title to the abutting owners to the centerline of the closed street, subject to the utility and drainage easements retained by the city.

Mayor John K. McNeill, III presided over the hearing; no public opposition was recorded in the minutes.