As Liberty County commissioners approved the rezoning for another 220 lots in the Arcadia subdivision, they also broached what to do about failing private roads throughout the county.
Commissioners approved rezonings for 177 acres and 38 acres to a R-12 designation, allowing for another 220 homes to be built in the Arcadia subdivision. The roads — Arcadia, Hughes and Youngblood — are private roads, meaning they are not maintained by the county.
But the roads are not in good shape, commissioners said, and there are a number of other developments with private roads that also are in bad shape.
“Years ago, I brought this issue up with all these subdivisions,” said Commissioner Marion Stevens. “It was said there was nothing we could do.”
“There ought to be something we could do,” added Commissioner Connie Thrift.
Stevens said there are a number of subdivisions in his district in which the roads were not deeded to the county. Commissioner Eddie Walden recalled that a county fire truck was damaged on one of those roads because of its condition.
“It’s time to fix it,” Walden said. “Let’s get it right. Let’s fix the road.”
County engineer Trent Long said there were failures in the road and to get it up to standard, several things would have to be done. To widen the road to county standards, it would mean tearing up driveways, curb and gutter and water lines. The subdivision is on a private water system and homes have individual septic systems.
“There are several things that are going to have to be done,” Long told commissioners.
Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission members recommended approving the rezoning and attached a special condition, asking that all existing streets in the subdivision be brought up to public street standards and dedicated to the county pursuant to the county’s road adoption process. Prior to consideration of preliminary plat, the existing streets shall be dedicated to the county or a performance guarantee shall be posted in an amount approved by the county engineer for the cost of upgrading the streets to public street standards.
Commissioners agreed that all existing streets in Arcadia be brought up to public street standards and dedicated to the county, pursuant to the county’s road adoption process.
“That sounds like that is going to be an expensive project for somebody,” said Commissioner Timmy Blount.
Estimates for improvements in the Trails subdivision are $1.2 million, $1.4 million for the Arcadia subdivision and $2.2 million for Half Moon Plantation, with estimates for private roads in other subdivisions to be completed.
The county may use future transportation special local option sales tax proceeds to cover the costs of improving the roads, if the TSPLOST is approved by voters this fall. The work needed to improve those roads also could take a number of years. Commissioners also likely will amend the ordinance to make acceptance of a subdivision’s roadways part of the approval process.
“This is the way it should have been, and it’s the way it’s going to be going forward,” said Commissioner Gary Gilliard.
“This will make Liberty County a better place to live,” Stevens added.
Other neighboring counties have faced similar quandaries, Long told commissioners. Those counties have taken on the work themselves.
Commissioners also approved a preliminary plat for phase 2 of the Cottages on Carter. The second phase calls for the construction of 67 single- family dwellings for the development off Bill Carter Road.
The development will have county water and onsite septic systems. A 1.69 acre parcel is being preserved in the middle of phase 2 to protect an old cemetery.
Builders will dedicate 4,285 feet of road to the county, along with water and stormwater improvements and drainage easements. A second entrance off Lewis Frasier Road also is planned.
“Right now, the traffic is not a problem,” Chairman Donald Lovette said. “There may be a time when we have to look at a turning lane to go right off Bill Carter so traffic doesn’t get bottle necked.”