Politics & Government
Builders Oppose Proposed Restrictions On Slab Foundations
Opponents of the code change said the proposed change reflects a misunderstanding of the benefits of slab foundations.
A proposal to greatly restrict the use of slab foundations for single-family dwellings in Oconee County has met with strong negative reaction from at least a segment of the local development community.
More than 50 people crowded the room for the Planning Commission meeting last Monday night to make clear their opposition, with at least that number, maybe more, crowded into the hallway outside.
Opponents said the proposed change reflects a misunderstanding of the benefits of slab foundations, would make it difficult to provide housing for an aging population in Oconee County, and is a taking of property rights.
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No one other than county staff spoke in favor of the proposed change.
In the end, the Planning Commission voted to table the proposal until its next meeting on April 16.
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A full-page, color advertisement on the back of the first section of the March 22 edition of The Oconee Enterprise continues the protest and urges people to show up again at that April 16 meeting to oppose the change.
For more on the story, with a video of the Planning Commission meeting, go to Oconee County Observations.
Pictured: Planning Commission Members Maria Caudill, Bill Yarbrough and John Laster.