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Franklin County holds public hearing on vacating Butler Terrace; closes hearing with no action
Summary
Commissioners heard from owners about vandalism and trespassing on a minimally maintained stretch of Butler Terrace, recommended landowners pursue easements or deed notes to preserve access, and closed the hearing without voting to vacate the road.
A public hearing on Feb. 4 on a request to vacate 2,000 feet of Butler Terrace in Franklin County ended without a formal decision after commissioners heard that nearby landowners have faced repeated vandalism and trespassing.
A county staff member told the board the issue has been under review for almost a year and that three property owners in the area reported theft and damage on the minimally maintained road, which drops off steeply and has poor sight lines. The staff member said the landowners asked the county to allow gating at the top of the hill so owners could restrict access without creating a county-maintained gated road.
Commissioners and staff discussed a potential consequence of vacating the road: one parcel, owned by an out-of-state LLC used for hunting, could become landlocked unless an access easement or deed notation is recorded. One commissioner urged caution, saying the commission could create “a hell of a problem” for future owners if access is not preserved. Another commissioner recommended drafting an easement before approving any vacation to ensure all owners retain legal access.
The board opened the hearing for public comment, acknowledged that letters of support had been submitted by the three landowners, then voted to close the hearing. Commissioners agreed there would be no vote on vacating the road at the Feb. 4 meeting; instead they recommended that the landowners resolve access arrangements among themselves, work with a title company or surveyor if needed, and return the matter later—potentially as a consent-agenda item—once documentation (an easement or deed notation) is in place.
The hearing record shows staff offered to provide contacts for local surveyors and title companies and to assist with next steps; commissioners said they did not want to impose costly requirements such as an expensive survey but urged owners to secure legal assurances of access. The county closed the hearing without taking additional action.
The county clerk will note the hearing’s outcome; staff said they expect the vacate request could return to the board after owners submit an easement or other access documentation.
