The Stuart Town Council tabled discussions on potentially taking ownership of a section of Landmark Drive at its Wednesday, Sept. 17, meeting, pending consultations with legal counsel.
The section under consideration runs from Woodland Drive to the Landmark Center parking lot, approximately 1,600 feet, or 0.3 miles. It is listed on the county tax map as parcel 48-11-10-32B. Landmark Drive is a private entrance developed and owned by the Landmark Center.
tabled.
Town Manager Bryce Simmons said the town learned the request via a proposal from Wren Williams’ law office.
“My understanding is that it is part of a real estate negotiation,” Simmons said, and he believes it could be in the town’s best interest to assume ownership of the road. He noted the property is ideal for development, with an existing sewer line in place and interest in expanding the nearby Mayo River Rail Trail.
Town ownership “would put it in the public hands, would allow for public access to those properties in the event that somebody wants to develop those parcels. That would be the main sort of access to some of those larger parcels of property that are contiguous in the town,” Simmons said.
He added that taking over the road would also give the town an avenue to extend utility services into an area with development potential.
miles. It runs from Woodland Drive to the Landmark Center’s parking lot.
Council member Jeff Houchins said he supported the idea but questioned how much maintenance the road might require, especially in winter.
Simmons replied that the town has not spent any money on Slusher Street, one of the roads it already owns, since he began working for the town.
“Based on what I’ve seen, Landmark Drive is in pretty daggone good condition at this point. So, I take that at face value of the road maintenance that we currently have is minimal,” he said.
Houchins said his main concern was the need to salt the road during snow. Council member Rebecca Adcock noted the upper section does not receive sunlight.
Council member Erica Wade said the survey showed Landmark Drive is not contiguous throughout.
“It’s just what we would actually be purchasing stops at the top of Landmark,” she said.
“It basically stops at the parking lot. There’s a gap between the parking lot and the road that we would be taking over,” Simmons explained.
Because Landmark Drive is a private road and not a thoroughfare, Adcock said she is concerned about how many people might use it as a cut-through.
“They do it anyway,” Houchins said, of the road that can be accessed from Woodland Drive or Commerce Street.
“I know they do it anyway, but now legally they can,” Adcock replied.
The council also discussed taking over only part of the road, possible trail development, and other issues related to assuming responsibility for the road.
Because Town Attorney Christopher Corbett did not attend the meeting, Simmons recommended waiting for his legal opinion before voting.
the upcoming Spooktacular. Town council members approved the request in a unanimous
vote. From left, Vice Mayor Dave Hoback, Jeffrey Houchins, Rebecca Adcock, Mayor Terry
Dalton, Erica Wade, and Bob Pittis.
“I would recommend that we put together questions about how this process would proceed” for Corbett to answer, Simmons said.
In other matters, the council:
*Approved giving $2,000 to One Family Production for the 10th annual Spooktacular, to be held Friday, Oct. 31, on Main Street. One Family Executive Director Chris Prutting spoke about the event.
*Approved sending a letter of notice to the owner of 411 Dobyns Road to clean up the unsafe structure.
*Discussed the upcoming Apple Dumpling Festival.
*Heard updates on public works projects and town policy.
*Discussed town employees obtaining their Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).
*Approved meeting minutes and paid bills.
