Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Private Gated Road in Tarrant County
For nearly two decades, Tarrant County taxpayers have been funding the maintenance of a public road that the general public cannot actually use. A quarter-mile stretch of Billings Road, located within the gated La Cantera neighborhood in west Tarrant County, has remained under county responsibility despite being inaccessible to most residents.
The History of the Billings Road Dispute
The issue dates back to October 2008, when Tarrant County accepted responsibility for the portion of Billings Road that runs south of Confederate Park Road and ends at Orilla Lane. While the road is legally public, the La Cantera neighborhood has been gated since 2003, creating a barrier that restricts access to the street.
The situation has drawn scrutiny from local officials. A spokesperson for Precinct 4 Commissioner Manny Ramirez, who took office in 2023, stated that his office is investigating the matter. Currently, it remains unclear why this specific section of Billings Road was ever designated as a public road.
Breaking Down the Taxpayer Costs
Records obtained by the Star-Telegram reveal a pattern of intermittent spending by the county to maintain the private-feeling stretch of road. The total cost to taxpayers has reached $15,746. The expenditures are broken down as follows:
- 2016: Nearly $7,000 spent on pavement maintenance, vegetation control, and litter cleanup.
- 2017: Over $2,000 spent on additional pavement maintenance and vegetation/litter control.
- 2021 to Present: Approximately $1,100 for trash pickup and weed/mowing control, and roughly $5,500 for inspections and pavement repairs.
Legal Challenges and Community Friction
The restricted access has led to legal action. Resident Steve Simmons filed a lawsuit in 2023 against the La Cantera Homeowners’ Association (HOA). Simmons alleges that the community’s gate serves as an unlawful barrier to a public road and is seeking the removal of the gate to allow a free flow of traffic, which would benefit property owners adjacent to the neighborhood who are not members of the HOA.
The management company for the La Cantera HOA has declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.
Key Takeaways
- Location: A quarter-mile stretch of Billings Road in the La Cantera neighborhood, west Tarrant County.
- Timeline: The neighborhood has been gated since 2003; the county took over road responsibility in 2008.
- Financial Impact: Tarrant County taxpayers have paid $15,746 for maintenance and repairs.
- Current Status: The road is the subject of a 2023 lawsuit seeking to remove the gates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a public road gated?
While the road is legally public and maintained by the county, it is enclosed within the La Cantera gated community, which restricts access to residents and authorized visitors.
Who is paying for the road’s upkeep?
Tarrant County taxpayers fund the maintenance, including mowing, trash pickup, and pavement repairs, through county budgets.
What is the goal of the current lawsuit?
The lawsuit aims to have the gates removed to ensure the public road is accessible to all, particularly benefiting adjacent property owners.
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