Minutes Public Hearing July30,2024  Floyd County Board of Supervisors  1. Called to Order - Chairman Turman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. or thereafter.  2. Opening Prayer - The opening prayer was offered by Supervisor Cox. 3. Pledge of Allegiance - Jenny Tolbert offered the Pledge of Allegiance.  4. Quorum - Deputy County Administrator Chiddo called the roll. A quorum was found for Supervisors. Supervisor Kuchenbuch attended the meeting remotely in a secure location 5.A Approval of Agenda - On a motion by Supervisor Boothe seconded by Supervisor  Bechtold and unanimously carried to approve the agenda.  6. Public Hearing - Request of Road Abandonment State Route 792  Supervisor Turman advised that there will not be a vote on the matter tonight. He reminded everyone to be respectful of the speakers and not interject. He read the Handicap Statement.  a. Presentation Karla Turman, County Planner  Ms. Turman provided the board with a review of the Rt-792 Abandonment request. Ms. Turman provided a PowerPoint, below, that was discussed and reviewed at the meeting.  1-    Request to Abandon Discontinued State Route 792  Rt. 792 Abandonment Request  Petition Received May 1, 2024 Public Safety Concerns Property Securty/lrespassers Environmental Impact    Current Public and Abandoned Roads  Everythingis appruximate  1400  Current Public Access Roads  Evsylangb-ppuima 792  3-    Current Public Access Roads with Abandonment Request  Nof frontage on Tannies Trail Fasement only  792  35  Everythingis approsimate 292  Pictures of Road Provided by Petitioner    Pictures of Road Provided by Petitioner  Pictures of Road Provided by Petitioner  5-    Pictures of Road Provided by Petitioner  Pictures of Road Provided by Petitioner  6-    Damage Pictures Provided by Petitioner  Pictures ofRoad Provided by Petitioner  -7-    Damage Pictures Provided by Petitioner  Damage Pictures Provided by Petitioner    Pictures Provided by Petitioner  POSTEV  Connection to Appalachian Trail?  58Bma  4785 : www.google.com ?00  phawyascon C  rock castle gorge  -9-    Pilot  Check  64D Callaway Rock  Alum Ridge 221 Floyd Rock Castle Gorge Overlook Rock Castle Gorge, East Trailhead 0 Woolwine Google eadows  "Ferrum 60)) 607) Henry Philpr Bas Bassett Fo  RL792 Abandonment Request  OldATP path Inpink. Followed Countyline ChurchRd, tpl Thomas farmF Rd.  10-    The following  pictures were provided  by citizens  11.    Huff Chimneys  Old Boxwoods  12-    Remains of Mill on 792  View at Franklin County Line (looking west)  View from end of state Maintenance in Franklin County (looking west)  13-    Intersection of all 3 roads at Runnett Bag Creek. Appears asa star on petition maps.  792  637  Old 636  Old 636 heading SE to 715 (View from creek crossing)  792 Heading W to Franklin Co. (View from creek crossing)  4    Is Discontinued Rt. 637 vehicle accessible?  1s+Branch crossing on 637i in1 1s+100 yds from Runnett Bag Creek  Other side of1branch crossing on 637.  -15-    Photos taken of 637 in 15+100 yds from Runnett Bag Creek  637Heading NW1 toThomas Farm Road (View from creek crossing)  View from Thomas Farm Road facing 637. No evidence of clearing, no visible access.  16-    Results if Entirety of Rt. 792 is. Abandoned  Easement only to TanniesTrprivate)  635  $7-37  Everythingisa approximate RL637 Dbtvatioardu vDor) ght raper" uperty Easera lusW and  Fasement only to TannicsTr (private)  792  635  57-37  Everythingi is approximate 637. RtJ7-Dseatinuedm: 1957(0.5m miles perVDOT) Property willluveno publi right-olway Properticsw willh have "paper 637 EndofStatel ance Petitioner's Accessto and Cemelery  17    8. Public Comment  a. Kathleen Dawe - Little River District Ms. Dawe noted the following:  She owns 27 acres along this road.  Neighbors access their campsite from this section of road. There has been no damage to her property. place for hiking and outdoor activities.  Generations have enjoyed nature on this road and the sound of the river. Abandonment is permanent and she would like for this area to continue as a  b. Tanja Vidovic - Little River District Mrs. Vidovic noted the following:  She looked forward to the peaceful woods of her property after retirement. ATV riders are illegally using the road and trespassing on her property. Riders are causing damage to the property and threatening her. She is scared for herself and her children on her property.  ATV riders use the road daily.  She could put up a gate but fears that would re-route the ATV riders to her She believes public safety is a concem on this section of the road.  home or her neighbor's homes.  C. Betty Walker - Franklin County Mrs. Walker noted the following:  Her family owns property near this section of the road.  Nolen's Mill had a Post Office, and this route was how people from Franklin  County came into Floyd. Grandmother was born there.  Her elderly mother visits the property by riding up to the old homestead on an EMS used ATVs for an injured person on this section when she was on the  ATV.  Volunteer Rescue Squad.  This road was here prior to Shooting Creek Road.  d. Jerry Greer - Rocky Mount  Mr. Greer noted the following: He owns property here in Floyd. President of "We Care Franklin County".  He has ridden ATVs for entertainment on this section of road for 30+ years.  -18-    e. Larry Martin - Franklin County Mr. Martin noted the following:  He owns property here in Floyd.  Sponsors "We Care Charity Ride" twice a year. People come to the organized rides from other states. People seek to buy homes in Floyd after being apart of the charity ride. They cut trees to clear the path for the riders on the trail. They also pick up trash along the trail after the ride. Riders get to experience the beauty of nature during these rides. Hev would like to see this tradition continue.  f. Bobby Hurt - Franklin County Mr. Hurt noted the following:  Come to Floyd because of the "We Care Ride". This type of trail would cost a lot to build. Beauty of the trail. Enjoyed by all ages.  g. Dwayne Thompson - Little River District Mr. Thompson noted the following: His grandparents live here.  Spent summers here as a child and learned the history oft this section of the  county.  ATV riders keep the path clear for others. Everyone loves the beauty of the property. These types of trails are safer for riders than roads. Can Floyd build a park for riders to enjoy?  Rides horses here because there are not many places to ride in the county. Necessity for this to remain open due to safety concerns and for leisure  purposes.  h. David Elliott - Little River District  Mr. Elliott noted the following: He has lived here for many years. section to experience the beauty.  He wants to see this section remain open. He would like to walk through this  19-    People should respect the property owners.  The trail could have better markers so that people don'tgo onto other  people's property.  Seth Phelps - Little River District Mr. Phelps noted the following:  He is a lifelong resident of Floyd and obsessed with Floyd County History. Has spoken with the neighbors in the area to learn the history of the Runnit  Bag community.  Wants to protect Floyd County history. This property represents the culture of Floyd. experience these types of activities.  There are no recreational areas in Floyd to learn this type of history and  Myrin Phelps - Little River District Myrin Phelps noted the following: Writing style is a poet.  Queer, disabled and 20 years old, and enjoys learning the history of Floyd. Wants to lear more about the history of Floyd and the landmarks along this Recently got to experience the section of the county by riding ATV with father. Mobility issues limit access to this property. ATV use helps to access this Abandoning the road would limit access to people who want to experience the  section.  property. history here.  k. Venda Keith -  Mrs. Keith noted the following:  She has lived in Floyd her whole life. Her great-great granaparents lived here. Shared that you don't venture off the trails because of moonshiners or pot Concerned about fires. The road needs to be open sO that firefighters can  Used to ride horses in this section.  Has not ever seen any type of destruction in this section.  growers. access.  Hopes that the road remains open.  -20-    Jared Vidovic - Little River District Mr. Vidovic noted the following:  Lives at the property that we are discussing.  Riding ATVS on the designated easement is currently illegal. The current path trespasses on three different properties. People don't know that they are trespassing because of historical use. They have a notice up on their property that ify you want access to the cemetery to contact them and they can arrange a time to do sO. They would also allow access if the property has historical significance to someone, There has been littering and property damage and vandalism. People have been drinking and leaving bottles on the property. ATVs have been spinning circles in the cemetery and tipping over stone  people just need to ask first.  markers.  The current route for the charity ride is trespassing.  m. Jean Lacoste - Little River District Ms. Lacoste noted the following:  She supports the road remaining open for historical significance and public Walked from Laurel Bluff Road to the end of 792 and saw no property Property owners can post her land and prosecute anyone who trespasses Most of 792 is on the other side of the creek which is not owned by the Approximately 600 feet of the petitioner's property adjoins 792.  safety, to provide access for fire fighters, etc.  damage, cut trees or trash.  regardless if the road is abandoned or not.  petitioner.  n. Eli Wade - Waived his right to speak.  O. Joe Bowman =  Mr. Bowman noted the following:  He has never heard of any issues on Runnitt Bag until now. Tampa FL paid out a lot of money for the "common denominator". Suggested a restraining order against anyone who would bother the Runnitt  Bag travelers.  p. Woody Crenshaw - Little River District Mr. Crenshaw noted the following:  -21-    Lives on Thomas Farm Road at the intersection.  Hurricane Hugo blew an enormous tree down causing the access to be Doesn'twant to add pressure to open or clear 637 for access should 792  restricted. abandoned.  q. Beth Highley - Little River District Mrs. Highley noted the following:  She has lived on Runnitt Bag Road with her husband since 1980. She has always treated the road as a discontinued road. Accepts that the public travels on this road.  The road on her property has already been abandoned in 1957 making it a private road but she does not plan to use the road any differently. Inh her experience the travelers on this road have been respectful. Six times in 44 years they have had trespassers cause damage to property. Wants road to remain as a discontinued road to allow the public access to the She is on the Board of the Floyd Historical Society - Society has done Anyone who travels this road steps back in time to experience the Runnitt  stunning natural beauty.  research on this road and its community. Bag community and lost civilization.  r. Jeff Walker - Little River District Mr. Walker noted the following:  He owns a 30 foot right of way that goes to the middle of the road. He has had the property surveyed. He joked that GIS stands for "Get It Petitioners' property runs along the creek and the road is to the north oft the Provided maps showing the property lines that he obtained from the We are gathered because we value our vested rights.  Surveyed". creek. courthouse.  He is a contractor who has experience with dealing with property owners and He uses a right-of-way to access his property with farm equipment.  right- of - ways  S. Jesse Slusher - Little River District Ms. Slusher noted the following:  Two rooms of attendance for this meeting. Important subject.  -22-    Has lived in Floyd 46 years. Owns land along this section.  Wanted to protect access to family property.  Logging roads on his property have had the occasional trespasser. Likes to take his 85-year-old grandmother to the creek on his ATV.  He is not land locked.  He supports the road being abandoned.  Kamala Bowers - Little River District Ms. Bowers noted the following:  This is a tough decision with points on both sides of the discussion. As a property owner she would also be unhappy with these situations on her  property.  u. Eli Schwartz-Gralla -Locust Grove District Mr. Schwartz-Gralla noted the following: Need to respect property owners. Annual ride should be preserved.  People need to learn the history of the property before purchase. IfCounty does not abandon the road, then it should be better maintained.  18. Adjournment:  Onamotion by Supervisor Boothe, seconded by Supervisor Cox, the approval was unanimously carried for adjourning the meeting until the next scheduled meeting of  07/30/024 at 8:22 p.m.  Administrator  Joe  Chairman  CHLIE  Pe  -23-