Palatable anger to boil over into recall?
Citizens for Oconee's Future, Inc.
P. O. Box 1301
Watkinsville, GA 30677
Citizens
Shortly after the Board of Commissioners vote on the grossly expensive reservoir project with Walton County I sent an e mail with the results and a promise for further information after having time to think about it for a while. Here is what I think about it. The voting majority of this Board made up of Davis, Norris and Luke is on a mission to fully develop this county no matter what the cost to quality of life for current residents. There is no way to change this policy without changing 3 votes. There is on {I think he meant no, although it could be one}
way to change 3 votes without changing Davis, Norris and Luke for three with a more balanced policy.
The current development policy will eventually directly impact every one of the 30,000 who live here now. It will do no good to fight each rezone proposal as long as the county "economic development" policy is to promote more "rooftops" and strip shopping all over the county. Citizens cannot rely on any county ordinance that gets in the way of development. An example is the proposal scheduled for hearing at the BOC meeting of 4/3 to allow construction of buildings on Daniel's Bridge Road exceeding the county ordinance for building height. Home owners in the Settlers Ridge subdivision will be looking up at seven story hotel buildings from their quiet neighborhood.
The trio of Davis, Norris and Luke are operating what amounts to a bait and switch operation. While they tout the County as a wonderful place to live primarily because of the small town, rural atmosphere and the good schools, they promote a development policy that diminishes those qualities and will too soon make us just another over-developed county with poor schools to go with it. Next time you see them ask them what it is they don't like about Oconee that they are trying to change with this development policy.
Following is the text of a message I received from a citizen who is concerned about the impact of the rezone and conditional use requests on Daniel's Bridge Road. These requests sailed right through the Planning Commission. Those impacted by the requests should make it known to the BOC. When they vote they should be looking at a room full of voters.
The text of the BOC agenda also follows.
Charles Baugh
"I have reviewed this rezone. It is a big problem for two important reasons. First. it is going to put tremendous stress on traffic at Daniel's Bridge Road, Mars Hill Road, and SR316. These are projects that are ahead of the road system, particularly given that the County did not get funding for the Mars Hill Road improvements.
Second, the buildings are beyond the capability of the fire department to service. The zoning staff has noted this, and it is a BIG problem. The rezones are to change the land. In each case, there is an additional conditional use request to violate the county's regulations on building height. These are seven story buildings, and the county has no equipment to provide fire service to them.
The rezones are probably better than other potential commercial development of the sites. But traffic will be a problem even with these.
You get the picture. This is more of the same. Developers are pushing the county to spend money for things it does not have, such as a professional fire department."
AGENDA
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF
OCONEE COUNTY, GEORGIA
April 3, 2007
Commission Meeting Chambers
Oconee County Courthouse
7:00 p.m.
1. Approval of Minutes:
Minutes of the March 6 and March 27, 2007 meetings have been distributed.
2. Business Involving Guests, Groups or Multiple Visitors:
None.
3. County-wide Matters:
None.
4. Approval of Resolutions, Ordinances, Policies, Etc:
None.
5. Hearings and Actions on Rezone Matters, Special Use Permits, Street Light Tax Districts, Etc:
1. Consider Street Light Tax District No. A-1H-L1 for Fairfield Meadows Subdivision.
2. Consider Rezone Request # 5351, by Daniells Bridge Partners, LLC, ±17.508 Acres, located on Daniells Bridge Road, from B-2 to OBP.
3. Consider Special Use Request # 5352, by Daniells Bridge Partners, LLC, ±17.508 Acres, located on Daniells Bridge Road, to increase the maximum structure height for buildings in the proposed office park.
4. Consider Special Use Request # 5354, by Westminster Christian Academy, ±30.705 Acres, located on New High Shoals Road, to revise previously approved expansion plans for the existing school.
5. Consider PUD Amendment Request # 5355, by Sterling Mills PUD, Phase II, ±8.77 Acres, located on Rocky Branch Road, to remove a condition restricting the location of the private driveway for the single-family residence.
6. Consider Rezone Request # 5356, by Glades Commercial Properties, LLC, ±6.895 Acres, located on Daniells Bridge Road, from B-1 PUD to OBP.
Agenda – Page 2
April 3, 2007
7. Consider Special Use Request # 5357, by Glades Commercial Properties, LLC, ±6.895 Acres, located on Daniells Bridge Road, to increase the maximum structure height for two hotel buildings.
6. Personnel Matters:
1. Consider appointment of Deputy Clerk.
2. Consider appointments to the Oconee County Clean and Beautiful Commission.
3. Consider appointments to the Oconee County Animal Control Advisory Board.
4. Consider appointment to the Oconee County Family and Children Services Board.
7. Approval of Contracts, Rights-of-Way, Awarding Bids, Purchases, Etc:
None.
8. Budget Items:
None.
9. Miscellaneous:
1. Consider policy to place approval of subdivision right-of-ways on the Board of Commissioners Consent Agenda.
10. Consent Items:
1. Agreement with City of Bogart for the collection of property taxes.
2. FY2008 Food Vendor contract with GA Food Service, Inc. for the Senior Center.
3. Georgia Mutual Aid Group application and resolution for the Oconee County Fire Department.
4. Acceptance of road right-of-way and right-of-way deeds for Lee Ridge Subdivision.
11. Statements and Remarks from Citizens.
12. Executive Session to discuss land acquisition, personnel matters and/or potential litigation (If Needed).
13. Adjourn.
P. O. Box 1301
Watkinsville, GA 30677
Citizens
Shortly after the Board of Commissioners vote on the grossly expensive reservoir project with Walton County I sent an e mail with the results and a promise for further information after having time to think about it for a while. Here is what I think about it. The voting majority of this Board made up of Davis, Norris and Luke is on a mission to fully develop this county no matter what the cost to quality of life for current residents. There is no way to change this policy without changing 3 votes. There is on {I think he meant no, although it could be one}
way to change 3 votes without changing Davis, Norris and Luke for three with a more balanced policy.
The current development policy will eventually directly impact every one of the 30,000 who live here now. It will do no good to fight each rezone proposal as long as the county "economic development" policy is to promote more "rooftops" and strip shopping all over the county. Citizens cannot rely on any county ordinance that gets in the way of development. An example is the proposal scheduled for hearing at the BOC meeting of 4/3 to allow construction of buildings on Daniel's Bridge Road exceeding the county ordinance for building height. Home owners in the Settlers Ridge subdivision will be looking up at seven story hotel buildings from their quiet neighborhood.
The trio of Davis, Norris and Luke are operating what amounts to a bait and switch operation. While they tout the County as a wonderful place to live primarily because of the small town, rural atmosphere and the good schools, they promote a development policy that diminishes those qualities and will too soon make us just another over-developed county with poor schools to go with it. Next time you see them ask them what it is they don't like about Oconee that they are trying to change with this development policy.
Following is the text of a message I received from a citizen who is concerned about the impact of the rezone and conditional use requests on Daniel's Bridge Road. These requests sailed right through the Planning Commission. Those impacted by the requests should make it known to the BOC. When they vote they should be looking at a room full of voters.
The text of the BOC agenda also follows.
Charles Baugh
"I have reviewed this rezone. It is a big problem for two important reasons. First. it is going to put tremendous stress on traffic at Daniel's Bridge Road, Mars Hill Road, and SR316. These are projects that are ahead of the road system, particularly given that the County did not get funding for the Mars Hill Road improvements.
Second, the buildings are beyond the capability of the fire department to service. The zoning staff has noted this, and it is a BIG problem. The rezones are to change the land. In each case, there is an additional conditional use request to violate the county's regulations on building height. These are seven story buildings, and the county has no equipment to provide fire service to them.
The rezones are probably better than other potential commercial development of the sites. But traffic will be a problem even with these.
You get the picture. This is more of the same. Developers are pushing the county to spend money for things it does not have, such as a professional fire department."
AGENDA
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF
OCONEE COUNTY, GEORGIA
April 3, 2007
Commission Meeting Chambers
Oconee County Courthouse
7:00 p.m.
1. Approval of Minutes:
Minutes of the March 6 and March 27, 2007 meetings have been distributed.
2. Business Involving Guests, Groups or Multiple Visitors:
None.
3. County-wide Matters:
None.
4. Approval of Resolutions, Ordinances, Policies, Etc:
None.
5. Hearings and Actions on Rezone Matters, Special Use Permits, Street Light Tax Districts, Etc:
1. Consider Street Light Tax District No. A-1H-L1 for Fairfield Meadows Subdivision.
2. Consider Rezone Request # 5351, by Daniells Bridge Partners, LLC, ±17.508 Acres, located on Daniells Bridge Road, from B-2 to OBP.
3. Consider Special Use Request # 5352, by Daniells Bridge Partners, LLC, ±17.508 Acres, located on Daniells Bridge Road, to increase the maximum structure height for buildings in the proposed office park.
4. Consider Special Use Request # 5354, by Westminster Christian Academy, ±30.705 Acres, located on New High Shoals Road, to revise previously approved expansion plans for the existing school.
5. Consider PUD Amendment Request # 5355, by Sterling Mills PUD, Phase II, ±8.77 Acres, located on Rocky Branch Road, to remove a condition restricting the location of the private driveway for the single-family residence.
6. Consider Rezone Request # 5356, by Glades Commercial Properties, LLC, ±6.895 Acres, located on Daniells Bridge Road, from B-1 PUD to OBP.
Agenda – Page 2
April 3, 2007
7. Consider Special Use Request # 5357, by Glades Commercial Properties, LLC, ±6.895 Acres, located on Daniells Bridge Road, to increase the maximum structure height for two hotel buildings.
6. Personnel Matters:
1. Consider appointment of Deputy Clerk.
2. Consider appointments to the Oconee County Clean and Beautiful Commission.
3. Consider appointments to the Oconee County Animal Control Advisory Board.
4. Consider appointment to the Oconee County Family and Children Services Board.
7. Approval of Contracts, Rights-of-Way, Awarding Bids, Purchases, Etc:
None.
8. Budget Items:
None.
9. Miscellaneous:
1. Consider policy to place approval of subdivision right-of-ways on the Board of Commissioners Consent Agenda.
10. Consent Items:
1. Agreement with City of Bogart for the collection of property taxes.
2. FY2008 Food Vendor contract with GA Food Service, Inc. for the Senior Center.
3. Georgia Mutual Aid Group application and resolution for the Oconee County Fire Department.
4. Acceptance of road right-of-way and right-of-way deeds for Lee Ridge Subdivision.
11. Statements and Remarks from Citizens.
12. Executive Session to discuss land acquisition, personnel matters and/or potential litigation (If Needed).
13. Adjourn.
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