South Drive Access Called A "Civil Matter"

Fairhope, Alabama

South Drive closed briefly recently.

BARRIER REMOVED BY POLICE

sign posted

A police department source called the recent closure of South Drive (at Hwy 98) by a neighborhood resident a "civil matter" -- and public works director Johnson says city attorneys say its still considered a public road  ... "until someone tells us different."

A sign on barriers posted there briefly about three weeks ago referred to the street as "private property" and "its owners wanting to use it for other purposes"; they were quickly removed by police after complaints from citizens living in the area.

Public documents obtained by the Times show that in late April  MYOB, LLC was granted an "exclusive easement for the purpose of erecting a fence, barrier, or other suitable device to block any and all public ingress and egress" ... by property owner Penelope Johnson of Castro Valley, California.

According to other city sources, over 10 years ago the property owner permitted construction of a "driveway" over the property to provide secondary access to the Sandy Ford and Rock Creek neighborhoods; the current dispute may be over heavy use/traffic issues we were told.

James O'brien is listed as a manager of MYOB, LLC on the document.

(Adjacent Presbyterian Drive is also technically a private road.)

South Drive re-opened

Parcel 1.028

Easement granted to erect barrier.