Truck stop shot down at planning commission, BOC next
This just in from Tony Glenn and the folks who want to save South Oconee:
Sorry it’s taken me 24 hours to update all of you on the events at the Planning Commission meeting last evening. For those who could not attend you can find additional info at Kate McDaniel’s site (http://www.apvoc.com/).
Our main issue was of course the proposed convenience store at the corner of Branch Road and US441. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny the request. Their vote, along with the Planning Staff report which also recommended denial, gives us cautious optimism going into the Board of Commissioners meeting on June 6th. Remember that the BOC has the final deciding vote on rezone issues.
I can’t stress enough that you should plan to attend the BOC meeting if at all possible. Having a significant number of people at the meeting, whether you intend to speak or not, does have an impact. Also, at the June 6th meeting, note that outside the Commission chambers there will be a row of sign up sheets for people who want to speak for or against any particular rezone request. Be sure to put your name down whether you actually plan to speak or not. Again, a long list of names on that sheet has an impact. When your name is called, if you don’t have anything to add you can simply pass and state that others have addressed your concerns.
The other issue last night was the modification of the initial conditions placed on the rezone of the 400+ acre subdivision along the Apalachee. After much confusion over just what the developers were requesting and what the Planning Staff was recommending, the new conditions were approved by the Planning Commission with a 5:3 vote. A major change concerned how close structures could be placed to the 100-year flood plain. The buffer was decreased from 100 ft to 50 ft. The 200 ft buffer was retained for the river itself. To be honest, I got confused and am uncertain what was passed regarding septic systems and their placement in relation to the 100-year flood plain. I believe the final recommendation was that drain fields can be placed immediately adjacent to the designated flood plain. This issue will also be coming before the BOC June 6th for final vote.
Take care,
Tony
Sorry it’s taken me 24 hours to update all of you on the events at the Planning Commission meeting last evening. For those who could not attend you can find additional info at Kate McDaniel’s site (http://www.apvoc.com/).
Our main issue was of course the proposed convenience store at the corner of Branch Road and US441. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny the request. Their vote, along with the Planning Staff report which also recommended denial, gives us cautious optimism going into the Board of Commissioners meeting on June 6th. Remember that the BOC has the final deciding vote on rezone issues.
I can’t stress enough that you should plan to attend the BOC meeting if at all possible. Having a significant number of people at the meeting, whether you intend to speak or not, does have an impact. Also, at the June 6th meeting, note that outside the Commission chambers there will be a row of sign up sheets for people who want to speak for or against any particular rezone request. Be sure to put your name down whether you actually plan to speak or not. Again, a long list of names on that sheet has an impact. When your name is called, if you don’t have anything to add you can simply pass and state that others have addressed your concerns.
The other issue last night was the modification of the initial conditions placed on the rezone of the 400+ acre subdivision along the Apalachee. After much confusion over just what the developers were requesting and what the Planning Staff was recommending, the new conditions were approved by the Planning Commission with a 5:3 vote. A major change concerned how close structures could be placed to the 100-year flood plain. The buffer was decreased from 100 ft to 50 ft. The 200 ft buffer was retained for the river itself. To be honest, I got confused and am uncertain what was passed regarding septic systems and their placement in relation to the 100-year flood plain. I believe the final recommendation was that drain fields can be placed immediately adjacent to the designated flood plain. This issue will also be coming before the BOC June 6th for final vote.
Take care,
Tony
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