Commissioners Drop Country Crossroads From Comprehensive Plan

In quick order on Tuesday night, the Oconee County Board of Commissioners eliminated the Country Crossroads Character Area from the 2018 Comprehensive Plan.

The change, agreed to by the commissioners following a public hearing on the draft plan, was a response to criticism that inclusion of the Country Crossroads Character Area could lead to commercial development in the south of the county.

The Board also agreed to schedule a public hearing on May 22 on the proposed change in the county development code to greatly restrict the use of slab foundations in residential development in the county.

The Board agreed to make a final decision on the code change on June 5.

A representative of the Greater Apalachee River Community asked the Oconee County commissioners to support what the group said is an expected vote by the Morgan County Board of Commissioners to oppose construction of an intake facility on the Apalachee River in Morgan County.

The Board also tentatively agreed to spend nearly $900,000 on a 70-foot ladder truck for the new Fire Station 8 under construction on Virgil Langford Road and $136,000 as part of a $2.3 million state plan to replace the Clotfelter Road bridge at Barber Creek.

For more on the story, including a video of Tuesday’s meeting, go to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: County Administrator Justin Kirouac and County Clerk Kathy Hayes.