Putnam County commissioners deny request to vacate Chimera Way, preserve public lake access

Putnam County commissioners on March 10 voted unanimously to deny an application to vacate a portion of Chimera Way in Interlock Lake Estates, preserving public access to Georgia’s Lake and responding to residents’ safety concerns.

The vote followed a public hearing in which residents, volunteer fire officials and county staff urged the board to keep the roadway public so firefighters can draft water from the lake and neighbors without lakefront property retain access for fishing and recreation. Commissioner Harvey proposed denying the vacation and later asked the board to consider reclassifying the right‑of‑way as a Class 2 county road for limited maintenance; the board agreed to place that classification discussion on a future agenda to allow further public comment.

Why it mattered: dozens of neighbors turned out to oppose the applicant’s request to vacate a short stretch of Chimera Way, saying the right‑of‑way appears on a recorded 1970 plat and has long served as community lake access. County departments — including public works, the county engineer and fire rescue — recommended denial, citing drainage, emergency‑response needs and the Putnam County Comprehensive Plan’s preference against vacating access to public water bodies.

Residents and legal counsel presented documentary and historical arguments. “This road provides lake access for residents who do not own lakefront property, ensuring that the lake remains a resource for all citizens, not just a privileged few,” said Joe Saviaak of the Douglas Law Firm, representing neighborhood interests. Mary Lynn Pantene, a nearby resident, told commissioners the right‑of‑way was deeded to the county, bears a county‑installed street sign and is the community’s sole south‑end access point to the lake.

The applicant, Kevin Nelson, said he researched title and the recorded plat before purchase and that his intent is to reconfigure his backyard — not to rezone for commercial development. Nelson told the board he would be willing to replace the right‑of‑way with a clearly‑worded easement if that is the board’s direction but emphasized he has not applied for rezoning or commercial permits.

Commissioners noted the competing interests: long‑standing neighborhood use and public‑safety access versus private property adjustments. After hearing from county staff that vacating access to a public water body would run counter to the comprehensive plan and that fire rescue objected, the board voted to deny the vacation request. The motion was approved by voice vote; the chair announced the motion carried unanimously.

What’s next: commissioners asked staff to return with a formal agenda item to consider whether to accept the roadway into the county maintenance system as a Class 2 road (limited, as‑needed work for safety and emergency access). That future item will be publicly noticed so residents can comment.

Quote: “I would like for us to take this into the county maintenance system as a Class 2 road … and put this thing to bed once and for all,” Commissioner Harvey said during his remarks.

Background: The petition sought vacation of a portion of Chimera Way (Interlock Lake Estates Unit 26). County staff reviewed the application and recommended denial to preserve public access and drainage easements; speakers referenced Florida Statute chapter 177 regarding plat dedications and questioned whether the county ever formally assumed maintenance obligations.

The board’s action preserves the status quo for the affected right‑of‑way and signals that any change in maintenance classification would be pursued through a separate, publicly noticed proceeding.