Residents press Martin County over rough Azalea Gardens roads; commissioners explain limits

Residents of the Azalea Gardens subdivision told the Martin County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 13 that deteriorating private roads have caused vehicle damage, extra postal costs and hardship for elderly neighbors, and they urged county action.

County Manager David Bone prefaced the public‑comment period with a history of the situation, saying the roads are privately owned and were purchased in foreclosure by Charliemark Properties, LLC. "The roads in Azalea Gardens were privately owned," Bone said, and the LLC’s principals have died and the company is deactivated while the estate and counsel sort ownership. Bone described the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) assessment process that would be required for state adoption: 75 percent of property owners must agree to an assessment, owners must agree to turn the roads over to the state, and the county typically fronts the cost and is reimbursed by property owners (with interest) over a multi‑year schedule.

Residents described the toll of delay. Beverly Turner of 1221 Tommy’s Lane said she and neighbors provided a petition and had been told they were assessed, but later learned the ownership issue blocked progress; she said the conditions have caused financial burdens, including needing a post office box and vehicle repairs, and asked the board for relief. "We would like to have an answer tonight," Turner said. Other speakers said many neighbors are elderly or medically fragile and asked the county to provide interim maintenance such as periodic grading.

Commissioners and staff emphasized legal limits. Commissioner Ronnie Smith told the audience that local officials are constrained by state law and cannot use public funds for maintenance of privately owned roads unless statute explicitly allows it. Clerk of Court Tonya Leggett offered procedural context in a later item, noting that facility and fee rules exist for court facilities but do not change the legal framework for private road maintenance.

The board voiced sympathy and said staff will help where possible with information and the pathway to NCDOT assessment, but took no direct action to fund or maintain the Azalea Gardens roads at the meeting. County officials pointed to a recent precedent: the White Oak subdivision completed an assessment and repaid the county over several years at an agreed interest rate.

What happens next: county staff will continue to assist residents in resolving ownership questions and in the NCDOT assessment process if property owners pursue it. No county funds were committed to road work at the Feb. 13 meeting.