South Oconee gas station comes back even more hideous and unneeded than before

Good evening everyone,

Many of you are aware that the formation of Citizens for South Oconee County
began in response to the ludicrous proposal to put a truck stop at the
corner of US441 and Branch Road, just a 1/4 mile north of Heritage Park (the
sight is easily seen from the entrance of Heritage Park). That proposal was
pulled by the developer the night that it was to be considered by the
Planning Commission back in January. We knew then that the issue was not
dead and that a revised plan would be back after the 90 waiting period.
Well, the wait is over. I picked up a copy of the plan today. Here are the
highlights:

-- Requesting rezone from A-1 to B-2. Future Land Use Plan designates the
area as Agricultural.
-- Building 1: 3000 sq. ft. gas station/convenience store; drive thru
carwash in rear; 12 pumping stations (6 2-sided stalls)
-- Building 2: 4000 sq. ft. "professional office space" to be leased; type
of business is not specified
-- Water supply is by individual wells. Sewage waste disposal is by septic
tank.
-- On-site detention pond (111,224 cu. ft) for storm water and carwash
runoff
-- Two entrances: one from Branch Road and one from the highway
-- Total predicted daily trips = 186
-- Total project acreage = 6.79; the back half of the 14.22 acre lot will be
left as "buffer"

This request for rezone was not posted at the property as of 7:00 p.m. this
evening. I learned that the plans were available at the Planning Department
by a phone call this morning from Billy Vaughn at the Oconee Enterprise. I
believe he is writing something for this week's issue.

I need to know how each of you feels about this proposal. I sense that most
will have the same opinions as existed for the previous truck stop plans.
Please take a moment to fill out the brief questionnaire below and return it
to me via email. Also please distribute this to anyone you know in Oconee
County, especially those living in or frequenting the southern region of the
county.


1) Do you feel that a convenience store/carwash/office space development
such as the one described above is suitable for the southern region of
Oconee County? Please elaborate.

2) Would you be a patron of this proposed development?

3) Given the current convenience stores in Apalachee, Farmington, and
Bishop, do you think there is a need for the proposed development? Will it
provide any service not already being provided?

4) Will the proposed development provide new or novel services to patrons of
Heritage Park?

5) According to the developer's report, "...if the property is rezoned [from
A-1 to B-2] the surrounding property values will increase." Would you agree
with this statement? What is your reasoning?

6) What, if any, form of development requiring a rezone from A-1 would you
support along US441 in southern Oconee County?

7) Should rezone requests such as this one be granted without knowing the
final status of the US441 widening project?

If you will, please provide your name and address with your responses.

Again, please distribute this far and wide so we can get a sense of the
general public attitude regarding this proposal.

Many thanks everyone,
Tony Glenn
Chairman, Citizens for South Oconee County