Residents Tell Erath County Court They Oppose County Barn on County Road 180

Two residents told the Erath County Commissioners Court on Feb. 9 that they oppose placing a proposed county barn on County Road 180, arguing the road is too narrow and unsafe for increased heavy‑vehicle traffic.

Andy Dean, a public commenter, said most constituents who live on County Road 180 oppose the location and urged the court to sell the county‑owned parcel and use the proceeds plus road‑improvement funds to buy a different site with better truck access near existing industrial connectors. "You don't have to improve a road. Everything's already there," Dean said, describing alternative acreage adjacent to State Highway 377 and a cement plant that would avoid a steep hill and heavy turning maneuvers.

A second speaker who identified himself as Larry said he had lived on County Road 180 for about five years and described recurring safety problems: sections that are effectively one lane, high speeds, and large trucks that can cut across the road apex at a dangerous corner. He said housing growth is increasing the number of turns and left‑turn conflicts and asked commissioners to "reconsider it" rather than locate the barn in an expanding residential area.

Court staff did not record a response committing to a change of location at the meeting. The presiding officer acknowledged the comments, reminded members that the court are stewards of taxpayer funds, and proceeded to the next agenda item. The record shows no formal vote or decision about the barn's location in this session.

The county's next steps on the county barn — including whether staff will pursue a sale of the currently owned parcel or study alternative sites — were not specified in the public record of the meeting.