SCBC deny request for resident to park tractor trailer in right-of-way

At the recent Stephens County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board was asked to consider a variance request allowing a man to park his tractor trailer overnight on the right-of-way at 10 Freedom Court.

The resident, Gerald Smith, came before the commission on Tuesday asking for permission; however, several commissioners were hesitant in granting his request.

Commissioner Dennis Bell said that he was not comfortable sacrificing public safety to allow Smith to park his tractor trailer in an area that would obstruct the visibility of others.

“The first thing I’m concerned about is public safety. If we allow you to park in the right-of-way and someone gets killed that falls back on the county, and I’m just not comfortable with that risk. The second thing I’m concerned with is the road getting busted up.

Commissioner Dean Scarborough asked Smith if he could leave the tractor trailer at another location, but, Smith said that was not possible.

“Is there any way you could park your truck at the place where you load up every day,” Scarborough asked?

“No, they don’t have adequate room there,” Smith said.

County Administrator Phyllis Ayers said that the road was not equipped to handle the weight of the tractor trailer, thus damaging the surface of Freedom Court.

“The road has been repaved and they installed 6.7-inches of GAB and 2.3-inches of 12-1/2 super pave asphalt which to have a tractor trailer or semi-truck especially one loaded, it just not for trucks,” Ayers said. “You would’ve needed more of like, 8-inches of GAB. So, he has parked it there for quite a while, but the neighbors are complaining about it, and it is in our right-of-way which is a problem.”

Smith said that he does not drive on the road if his vehicle is loaded, in hopes of reducing the damage to the road.

Despite Smith’s efforts to minimalize the damage to the road, the commission voted against his request.

Scarborough made a motion to deny the requested variance, and Bell seconded the motion.

However, Commissioner Debbie Whitlock voted against Scarborough’s motion.

The motion passed 3-1, with Commissioner Stanley London being absent.