PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Commission decided against closing a road that only appears on local maps after objections were made.

Last month, the commission had tentatively approved the closure of Lorain Street which had been described as “a paper road” as it was mapped, but never developed or paved.

Attorney Dave Palmer, who represents one of the landowners, had said his client wanted to reconfigure their four lots and they would not be able to do that until the road was closed.

If the road was closed, the adjacent property owners would evenly split the land.

The commission’s approval hinged on an adjacent property owner reviewing the paperwork with his attorney. If there are no concerns, the measure would be passed to close the roadway.

However, on Thursday a couple of property owners raised concerns about access being maintained to their property and questions about a driveway that may have been built on part of the land in dispute

Palmer and attorney Robert Fluharty Jr. discussed many aspects including the driveway, frequency of use of the land by the adjacent property owners, what it is being used for now, the terrain, its accessibility and more.

Commission President Blair Couch said that typically the commission will approve a paper road closure if both property owners agree to split it and add their halves to their existing property. However, if objections are raised like they were Thursday they will not.

The commission voted unanimously to deny the closure.

In other business, the commission announced that county offices and courts will be closed today following an order from the West Virginia Governor’s Office closing state offices. The county usually follows the governor’s lead on closures due to holidays and holiday weekends.

Gov. Jim Justice has issued a proclamation, declaring Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, as a full-day state holiday for public employees.

“In recognition of the hard work accomplished by the public employees of this State throughout the past year, and in acknowledgment of the holiday season, it is fitting and proper that the public employees of this State be given this additional time off to spend an extended and enjoyable holiday with their loved ones,” Justice said in the proclamation.

All county offices will be open, during their regular times on Tuesday, Dec. 26.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com