2/12/1991 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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we have some old pictures of this, dated 1979, and in one of them it looks like there is a gate. Commissioner Scurlock inquired about the cost of maintaining that bridge and asked if it is our policy to have something like this brought up to County standards before we accept it. Director Davis confirmed that has been our policy for some time and advised that we just received an inspection report from DOT and there were some minor improvements needed. Mr. Oliver Crews came before the Board. He informed the Board that he lives about 4-1/2 miles west of Fellsmere near the Brevard County line and he has a real dilemna. He is being told he owns this bridge and that it is a private bridge. He does not want to own a bridge and he cannot afford to maintain a bridge, but he also cannot afford to be without the bridge. He, therefore, is just asking for a reinstatement of the way things were when this bridge originally was built by the County. Mr. Crews claimed that the circumstances there have not changed over the years. The road is open and accessible to the public and has been for many years, and there has never been a gate on it or anything to make people stay off that road. He really did not understand just why Mr. Platt requested the change in 1985 and could only say that Mr. Platt was quite elderly at that time. Mr. Crews continued to explain that his wife inherited part of the estate and this bridge serves his business and another business. Water from all over the County flows under this bridge and he worries about the bridge being washed out at some time. Mr. Crews pointed out that Mr. Platt only asked to take over the maintenance of the bridge and he questioned whether he actually owned it; in fact, he did not believe Mr. Platt ever owned it. Director Davis advised it was his understanding that only the Carson Platt Estate had property west of the bridge but Mr. Crews informed him that besides his own residence, there is another house he owns and rents out; the bulk of the Platt Estate is back in there, which is about 2500 acres; there's a Mr. Fish with a tropical fish farm and about twenty acres which is owned by Mrs. Fredell. Considerable discussion ensued as to just when and how the ownership of the bridge passed over to Mr. Platt. Commissioner Scurlock remembered that Mr. Platt came before the Board asking to take over the maintenance of the bridge and he recalled that the Board just entered into an agreement where Mr. Platt assumed that responsibility. We did not transfer ownership of the bridge. 49 .� FY!JC ,,.