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Council to seek public comment after developer asks to close West 11th Avenue; attorney warns of access liability
Summary
A developer request to close West 11th Avenue prompted attorney advice that closing a road that removes property access can create liability; commissioners agreed to send notice and hold a public hearing at the next meeting.
City officials told the Cordele City Commission on Feb. 3 that a private developer has requested closure of West 11th Avenue for site security and truck access, prompting legal review and concern about whether closure would deprive a neighboring owner of public access.
The City Attorney briefed the commission on the legal standard for closing a public road and warned: if the closure removes a property owner’s only access to a public street, the city could face litigation. The attorney noted that plats supplied by public works suggest a property owned by a Betty Walker may have access alternatives but that the records must be checked to ensure the closure would not landlock a parcel.
"You need to think carefully about that," the attorney said, adding that notices to owners with an interest in the road are required by code. Commissioners discussed maintenance burdens if the city retained the road for heavy truck traffic (roughly 20 semis per day was cited) and the trade-off of allowing the company to close and maintain it versus bearing the cost of upgrades and ongoing maintenance.
Several commissioners favored a public hearing. The commission agreed to send notices to affected property owners and include the matter on the next meeting agenda so residents and stakeholders can comment.
Why it matters: The closure would affect traffic patterns, maintenance obligations and an affected property owner’s ability to access a public road — all of which carry legal and fiscal implications for the city.
What’s next: Staff will mail required notices to property owners and place a public-hearing item on the next meeting agenda so the commission can hear input and decide whether to proceed with the closure procedure.
