Property owner tells commissioners she lost driveway access after rails-to-trails crosswalk and seeks county help

Sonia Jones, a property owner on Southeast State Road 100 in Stark, told the Bradford County board that completion of a rails-to-trails crosswalk at the end of 2023 / start of 2024 left her land without driveway access from State Road 100.

Jones said she has communicated with the Florida Department of Transportation and was told recorded surveys show she does not have legal frontage that gives direct access to the state road. "FDOT states I have no legal access to my property that the surveys that are recorded..." she told the board.

She said she retained Welsh Land Surveying and has met with Public Works Director Jason Dods, who indicated county manager approval had been given and that the county could obtain an easement over county land. Jones said no easement has been established as of the meeting and that, at Mr. Dods' suggestion, she emailed an asking price on April 1, 2026 for the county to purchase the parcel if the county is interested in expanding the county dump.

Jones asked the board for due diligence and a resolution to reestablish access. The transcript records no final decision during the meeting; Jones requested the board follow up with Public Works and with FDOT to resolve access rights.