Commissioners To Decide Fate Of Stone Store, Oconee Mercantile

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night likely will decide the future location of The Stone Store and, if the developers of the proposed U.S. 441 mixed-use project are to be believed, the viability of that project itself.

The Commissioners are scheduled to vote on a rezone request for just more than 23 acres on U.S. 441 across from the intersection of Hog Mountain Road as well as on a second related rezone and special use variance request for just less than six acres just north of that intersection.

The linked rezone requests would move The Stone Store from its current location, create a new home by carving out land from two different parcels, and allow the developers of what is being called Oconee Mercantile to create an entrance to the development from an extension of Hog Mountain Road.

The Oconee County Planning Commission, at its Feb. 15 meeting, recommended approval of the rezone for the mixed use development in a 7 to 1 vote, but it recommended denial of rezone request for the proposed new location of The Stone Store in a 5 to 4 vote.

The Stone Store has a seven-year lease on its current location and is willing to surrender the lease only if it can move to the new location, the developer told the Planning Commission.

Without that access opposite Hog Mountain Road, the whole complex, with its proposed reuse of the existing Oconee State Bank headquarters building and construction of an additional six buildings, is not viable, according to the developer.

Oconee Mercantile as proposed will include multiple retail shops, dining establishments, possibly a gym/fitness center or large office space, and, potentially, a brewery with event space, hotel, and/or daycare center.

For more on the story, with a video of the Feb. 15 Planning Commission meeting, please go to Oconee County Observations.