Putnam County approves vacation of a platted portion of Pine Street, accepts drainage easement

Putnam County commissioners voted on June 9 to vacate a platted portion of Pine Street and accept a drainage easement in exchange, after a public hearing that drew neighborhood questions about future access and drainage.

Public Works staff told the board the road segment is undeveloped, no utilities, fire or law‑enforcement agencies objected, and the applicant owns the adjoining parcels. Neighbors at the hearing described the corridor as overgrown and said the applicant intends to clear dead debris, install gates and allow emergency access if needed; one resident said trees previously fell across the path during Hurricane Irma.

Patricia Catch and Karly Dennis, area residents who spoke during public comment, asked about blocking access and about how future development would be served. Public Works staff and the applicant responded that existing parcels can access property through other legal access points and that the requested vacation will not landlock properties.

After discussion, the board passed a motion to vacate the specified portion of Pine Street and accept a drainage easement in return. The resolution cites Florida statutes governing the closing and abandonment of roads (Fla. Stat. §§336.09, 336.12) and was recorded as Resolution 2026‑041.

Commissioners emphasized that emergency responders maintain the ability to access properties when required and that the vacation applies to a portion of an undeveloped, wooded platted right‑of‑way; county staff will record the resolution and the associated easement documents.