Opposition to requested road closing prompts commission to postpone decision

Debate over the requested closing of a road prompted the Dickson County Commission to postpone making a decision until next month. The commission held a public hearing Monday night on a request to close a section of Slater Road in northeast Dickson County. But when one property owner said the closing could affect access to his land and restrict future development, the commission voted to wait until its Nov. 19 meeting to allow time to look into possible alternatives. Jimmy Granberry requested a section of Slater Road between White Oak Flatt Road and Nosegay Road be closed after he purchased all the land on either side of the road. But musician Richie Dotson said the closing could restrict access to 50 acres he owns along Nosegay Road. Dotson said Jones Creek crosses Nosegay Road and high waters sometime make it impassable, leaving Slater Road as the only access to his property. He said closing the road also would force him to seek an easement to the property, which would restrict him to only being able to build one home on the property that he hopes to one day give to his children. Road Superintendent Jerry Burgess said the section of Slater Road in question has not been maintained by the county road department in the 35 years he has worked there, which county attorney Tim Potter said makes it an “arguably abandoned” road. Potter suggested the section of Slater Road to be closed could be reduced, leaving a portion of it to provide access to Dotson’s property. The commission voted 10-1 to postpone a decision with only Commissioner J.B. Smith voting in opposition.