Watkinsville OKs Extra Special People expansion and liquor laws in emotional meeting

The City of Watkinsville worked wonders to make sure that developmentally disabled children will continue to have every opportunity to enjoy life at the Extra Special People expansion incorporating property from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9147 as well as a sliver of city property from the back end of Harris Shoals Park thanks to donations of planning and construction among many other amazing facets of this truly wonderful story.

Jon Williams of Williams and Associates drew up many architectural renderings of what awaits the intersection of VFW Drive, Mimosa intersectioned  into a reworked road out of the back end of Harris Shoals Park. There will also be a cul-de-sac like turn-around for buses and the like.

Also the pre-existing dance studio of

Joan Mann shall remain in the VFW property as well, just moved a bit. That building will be brought up to code.  The Martha Wylie vision of what would become more popularly known as ESP will continue to provide after school and summer camp adventures and friendships for more than double of what they have been caring for at the facility.

Director Laura Whitaker and Board member Toni Swan both passionately thanked everyone involved in the ambitious acquisition, both nearly in tears from genuine appreciation. David Williams of the VFW was glad to be a part of the process.

Jon Williams talked about the need for the three variances in zoning codes that were not around when the facility was built, as well as parking in the rear of the facility. They are adding an additional 36 spaces to the rather cozy confines of the Community Center/Police Station and adjoining ESP facility. It appears as if they will be doubling the square footage of the new facility (14,000 square feet), incorporating the existing structure and eventually getting rid of the two trailers being currently used (and will be the last step).

The cul-de-sac was one of a laundry list of concerns from all the council members. Mike Link asked pertinent safety questions and Brian Brodrick rationally probed what was needing to be asked of Williams project. An amphitheater in the back of the facility was added after a wall was needed to deal with the slope of the property.

The VFW will lease the property to ESP for $1.00 a year for 99 years. Williams will work with Mann to move the studio to another part of the property and retain the rustic charm of the facility while bringing it up to code. The new road out of the park and into Mimosa will be granted an easement to the City in perpetuity. The new facility will be 37 and one half feet tall and have sewer access and fences.

There was some concern about the secondary covered entrance becoming the main access and egress point in the future.

In other seemingly meaningless matters, the liquor referendum was recognized after some tweaking and discussion. Link did not vote for it again.

Mike Thornton received a demolition permit for a house at 18 South Main Street. Mack Guest for a business permit for Dutch Properties, LLC at 109 Barnett Shoals Road, Amber Hatley had her eponymous photography limited license corporation for 10 North Main Street and Chad Sutton received his license for Sweetwater Pools and Supplies at 1021 Industrial Boulevard Suite E.