Oconee planning commission hears hours of testimony on 50-foot private road right-of-way; discussion tabled to next meeting

The Oconee County Planning Commission on April 7 debated whether to keep a 50-foot right-of-way requirement for private drives and private roads and ultimately voted to delay action until its next meeting.

The proposal under discussion would change language in Chapter 26 (roads) and Chapter 32 (definitions/subdivision rules) that currently treats private drives and private roads as having a 50-foot right of way (20-foot travel surface plus 15 feet of additional width for utilities, sight lines and maintenance). Supporters said the rule is an overreach that restricts property owners; opponents warned it would reduce emergency access and invite piecemeal development.

Why it matters: the requirement affects how many dwellings a private access can serve, who pays to maintain shoulders and drainage, and whether utilities and emergency vehicles have room to operate. Commissioners and the public described a conflict between ordinances — one section referencing “lots,” another using “dwellings” — and cited real parcels in Oconee County whose ingress widths fall well under 50 feet, which can limit subdivision or family transfers without variances.

Discussion highlights

- Conflict in the ordinance: Commissioners and staff pointed out an internal inconsistency between Chapter 26 (which describes private drives/roads as serving up to 10 lots or dwellings and a 50-foot…