Winston County; former county road in Tidwells Yellow Creek Subdivision No. 2 intersecting Lewis Smith Lake, road vacated, constitutional amendment.
Impact
The proposed amendment would have implications for state laws concerning land ownership and local governmental authority. By transferring the ownership of the vacated road back to landowners rather than maintaining it as a public thoroughfare, this bill streamlines property management in the affected area. It is anticipated that this could facilitate development or alterations by property owners without navigating the complexities associated with public road maintenance or usage regulations.
Summary
Senate Bill 197 (SB197) proposes a constitutional amendment concerning a specific portion of former Winston County Road 1. The bill aims to vacate the section of the road that existed prior to the creation of Lewis Smith Lake, effectively closing and abandoning this road and any adjacent rights-of-way. This measure is deemed important for property owners in the area, as it seeks to vest ownership of the vacated land in the abutting landowners, removing any public rights and liabilities from Winston County concerning this portion of the road.
Contention
While SB197 focuses on a localized issue in Winston County, it could raise questions about the precedent set for other localities regarding the vacation of public roads and the associated rights. Stakeholders, particularly property owners, may support such amendments as essential for personal development. However, there could be opposition from those who feel that vacating public roads reduces community access and future public use, meriting a careful examination of the balance between private property rights and communal benefits.
Naming U.S. Highway 29 at its intersection with Eagle Road and Harts Bridge Road in Covington County the PFC Thomas Lloyd Rodgers Memorial Intersection
Boats, motorboats, operation on Lewis Smith Lake, Lake Wedowee, and portion of Shoal Creek, wakeboarding and wakesurfing reg., operation near coastline prohibited, Lake Martin add to lake law applies; operation on lakes near shoreline prohibited, penalties, grace period.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.