[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6312294,"mediaKeyId","2391141-939c1e0a10f79bcf79fc33ae8bf5bc73","parentId",2391141,"title","Planning commission recommends rezoning 3.14 acres for hotel near Parkway Boulevard","audioSeconds",543,"startMs",2833000,"endMs",3376000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391141-939c1e0a10f79bcf79fc33ae8bf5bc73&start=2833&end=3376","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391141-939c1e0a10f79bcf79fc33ae8bf5bc73/thumbnail_2833000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6312294/Oconee-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-recommends-rezoning-314-acres-for-hotel-near-Parkway-Boulevard","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312294-c82151d68d7f8a5f346e92d5a83872d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775073412&Signature=AftwBxdQN7nagpyyjh~~zNU52D38WlpmOHBcX4rcuJiUYdeoT5bh2L0KzbBcEd06Zcq87DR0UFqD88Ez4irJCmHMY-8DlpNn3rwEttPpG1bAKdiPVbjru8okazBSwwrZ9nJMO3XAfH7FAHVSHMCPAfml1XemURS73XT3x2rKXtrV4rr7gd5JNf4kgRMZRIB5QN2hfgqRsNdqSnmw9mK1lOXTggdouJaFXGAWAyCAKea2C8ZxC3trEH-y5VaWRyW809FJBGb1lqCr1cuK3WX0aIk5T4BTB3wgePuOlMBxYzQ6uQbDWjzlje6ICUaSunBBPqw7P5kiVL205NcQ9IHAsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oconee County GA Government","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Oconee County Planning Commission recommended approval of rezoning case P240257, a request by Severn LLC to rezone a 3.14‑acre portion of Parcel C01V006 from AG to B‑2 to allow a hotel development along Parkway Boulevard near the existing Eppsbridge Center commercial area.

Planning staff presented the concept plan and proposed architectural images and recommended conditional approval with standard materials and screening conditions. The applicant’s representative described the hotel as similar in scale to existing midrange chain products in the area and said the developer would move forward if the rezoning is approved.

Why it matters: adding a hotel would increase lodging capacity near a growing retail and medical corridor, which proponents said would serve visitors for events and visitors accessing regional services; the commission’s recommendation advances the request to the Board of Commissioners for final action.

Applicant presentation
Mark Campbell of Carter Engineering, representing the developers, said the proposed product would be comparable to national midtier brands — he mentioned Fairfield Inn & Suites and Home2 Suites as comparable examples — and that the parcel’s topography and an existing stream make the 3.14‑acre segment a logical isolated parcel for rezoning to support a hotel use.

Commissioner questions
Commissioners questioned likely clientele, whether long‑term occupancy was expected and the developer’s timeline. Campbell said the hotel was planned for short‑term lodging (not long‑term rentals) and estimated construction would be more likely in a 2026–27 timeframe rather than immediate; he said existing regional hotel projects and brand relationships informed the developer’s choice.

Commission action
A motion to recommend approval of P240257 with the staff‑recommended conditions passed and the item will be forwarded to the Oconee County Board of Commissioners for final action.

Votes at a glance
- P240257 (Severn LLC hotel) — Motion to recommend approval with staff conditions; forwarded to Board of Commissioners for final decision.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission February 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission recommended approval of P240257, a request by Severn LLC to rezone 3.14 acres from AG to B‑2 for a hotel site on Parkway Boulevard; commissioners discussed likely hotel type, timing and screening but recorded no additional conditions.","taxTitle","Oconee County, Georgia","taxId",28542,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6312298,"Planning commission backs rezoning to expand office buildings at Moreland Heights site, adds fence condition",1254,1411000,2665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391141-939c1e0a10f79bcf79fc33ae8bf5bc73&start=1411&end=2665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391141-939c1e0a10f79bcf79fc33ae8bf5bc73/thumbnail_1411000.jpg","/articles/6312298/Oconee-County/Georgia/Planning-commission-backs-rezoning-to-expand-office-buildings-at-Moreland-Heights-site-adds-fence-condition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312298-8ef11b9c136b3d593d14b24fd32b1d62/orig.mp4?Expires=1775073412&Signature=Nnmd0GqJqrvV2WmtnBuFSIpQWsbpy~lbVXtS9pJcgfu26ocYfLg~QaFOD5zX6HjhHPKKtlFsIllOqtGyqxtQLxuGuyhA0r7VApCQDk~iLg~yOpM-TF8mYzol5-Uw84sfkJGyg0MmpOakoBjGi0dCTOwxbJuUXV8PPd-D5q21aLDAgOq-J~9XhfRfUJo5US-XGkPhJ77V8JUYXtuq9GE7jzQfxbcudWFsf0x9CWPT4I-ya-1WqNEPllic31zlqHd0Os-obXuMLXNKWJPHFA3hWOLUGASWQvL8izpYR3erqFhqvE98iZQJ2nMT9lk6O9hZehu758~1T2yI7dQRVS-Yyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oconee County Planning Commission recommended approval of rezoning case P240254, a request to modify a previously approved rezoning (P230157) for the property off Moreland Heights Road to increase maximum office area to 73,800 square feet, increase the number of buildings from four to ten, and remove an assisted‑living facility from the concept plan.

Planning staff presented the request and recommended conditional approval; the staff conditions included limits on total building square footage and a traffic impact statement because projected average daily trips would rise from 515 ADT to 800 ADT. Commissioners added a seventh condition requiring a four‑foot, opaque fence along parking areas to shield adjacent residences from headlight glare.

Why it matters: the amendment replaces a previously approved assisted‑living element with more office space and changes the intensity of use on the parcel; the item will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final action.

Applicant presentation and reasons
Justin Greer of Pittman & Greer Engineering said the owner originally had planned assisted living but the market has changed since COVID and the owner has had interest in additional office space; the applicant said three buildings have been built and leased and the owner seeks the additional buildings to meet demand.

Public comment and residential concerns
A nearby resident, Lindsay (last name not given), said she bought a home expecting a neighborhood scale and expressed disappointment the property was shifting toward “light industrial type” uses rather than assisted living.

Commission discussion and conditions
Commissioners pressed the applicant on buffering, lighting and access. The applicant said a 15‑foot buffer with shrubs, trees and a fence would be provided where the property touches residential lots and that evergreen plantings would be used to maintain screening in winter. The applicant said the project’s parking calculations were based on office use, and that roll‑up doors and limited drive‑in access were planned but no dock‑height loading was proposed for new buildings.

After discussion, Commissioner Matt moved to approve P240254 with staff conditions plus an added condition requiring a four‑foot opaque fence along parking areas to protect nearby residents; Commissioner Lisa seconded. The motion passed and the rezoning will be forwarded to the Board of Commissioners for final action.

Votes at a glance
- P240254 (Moreland Heights) — Motion to recommend approval with staff conditions plus added condition (4‑foot opaque fence); motion approved; forwarded to Board of Commissioners.","The commission recommended approval of rezoning P240254 to increase permitted office square footage and alter a prior assisted‑living plan, and added a condition requiring a four‑foot opaque fence to shield nearby residences.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6312303,"Oconee planning panel approves zoning change to allow car wash and oil‑change outlot at Eppsbridge Center",837,565000,1402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2391141-939c1e0a10f79bcf79fc33ae8bf5bc73&start=565&end=1402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2391141-939c1e0a10f79bcf79fc33ae8bf5bc73/thumbnail_565000.jpg","/articles/6312303/Oconee-County/Georgia/Oconee-planning-panel-approves-zoning-change-to-allow-car-wash-and-oilchange-outlot-at-Eppsbridge-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312303-f8dd25650a00841081a37acf7fb6cc94/orig.mp4?Expires=1775073412&Signature=NBDSIxSUTpkvnQob8~xc0qvMhyj99mvzmt6MsdYmNluPw~ubWGZUQownnfoL6jW1jy3Beyt0Nu~7j-YVuf2SkeH-Gs2UM~wNInv-vsiGX7fwqqWT-Ixiu1PkC7nXGZ-Iv8KIR3kpLWDVLLVmOr6zSbxtftxxSd-DTBSlYyxHzwulqiFnc4A0X7Bf9Lxm38EsDVznbNcXsk1tcpAb6YkLCdd9UrnrYS2q6LNWR7I531hwKnO6hagjG3tfe3UoNyiwow0jRqHyHSLFzWGlWFZkx-33DpbKi5wJoX91vMAf70o-KE9uj8Tm-IppaajEmwfGdzI7myiuEFfh7aXIeX1O5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oconee County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of rezoning case P240036, a request by Hepsbridge Center 2 LLC to modify prior conditions and the concept plan for an Eppsbridge Center outparcel to allow an automotive oil‑change/lubrication shop and a car wash to be added to previously permitted retail, banking and restaurant uses.

The change, presented to the commission by planning staff, would amend prior Case 6812 conditions and expand the list of allowed uses on Parcel A01AT001OP to include automotive oil change and lubrication shops, automotive accessories and tire stores, and car washes, subject to the standard staff conditions and additional limits on outdoor storage.

Why it matters: the planning commission’s approval sends the request to the Oconee County Board of Commissioners for final action. Supporters said the uses respond to tenant interest at the shopping center; opponents said the added uses represent low‑wage, transitory businesses and could alter a center originally rezoned for retail, banking and restaurants.

Staff presentation and applicant position
Planning staff described the request as an amendment to the prior zoning (Case 6812), provided a recorded plat and a proposed concept plan showing the locations of a car wash and an oil‑change facility, and recommended conditional approval with standard conditions restricting outdoor storage and requiring architectural materials per the concept plan.

Frank Bishop, representing Eppsbridge Center 2 LLC, told the commission he and the owner “agree with the recommendation of the planning staff” and said the proposed uses were requested by a major tenant at the center to serve patrons.

Public comment and concerns
Dan McGee, an Oconee resident, opposed the change, saying the area was rezoned previously for “retail, banking and restaurants” and that adding car washes and oil‑change outlets would shift the character and the kinds of jobs created. “Those are low‑form economic development. You do not age well,” McGee said, adding that the county already has similar businesses nearby.

Commission discussion and vote
Commissioners questioned driveway ownership and whether any off‑site road improvements would be required. The applicant said the access road was owned by Eppsbridge Center Associates and that a traffic study indicated the driveway could serve the proposed uses; the applicant said no improvements were planned unless the county required them.

Commissioner Matt made the motion to approve P240036 with staff conditions; a second was recorded. The commission voted to recommend approval by a 5–4 count. The item will proceed to the Board of Commissioners for final action.

Votes at a glance
- P240036 (Hepsbridge Center outparcel) — Motion to recommend approval with staff conditions; vote recorded as 5–4 in favor; forwarded to Board of Commissioners for final decision.","The Oconee County Planning Commission approved a recommendation to forward a rezoning request for an outparcel at Eppsbridge Center that would add an automotive oil‑change/lubrication shop and a car wash to previously permitted retail, banking and restaurant uses; the decision will go to the Board of Commissioners for final action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission recommends rezoning 3.14 acres for hotel near Parkway Boulevard

Planning commission backs rezoning to expand office buildings at Moreland Heights site, adds fence condition

Oconee planning panel approves zoning change to allow car wash and oil‑change outlot at Eppsbridge Center