Residents report off‑campus fraternity party houses; council to compare Clemson rules as zoning and plat issues surface

Multiple residents told Oconee County Council during public comment that off‑campus student housing and short‑term party houses tied to area fraternities are creating public‑safety and noise problems in residential neighborhoods.

Lee Hill, a resident who said four fraternities have moved into Oconee County, said a party on Leroy Road produced more than 30 calls to 911 and left at least one young woman disoriented in the roadway. Hill told council that a private investor identified in the comment period, "Greek Life Properties LLC," has been buying rundown houses, renovating them for fraternity occupancy and effectively monetizing party housing in the county.

Another resident raised separate land‑use concerns about the county's plat‑recording and driveway rules, describing a situation in which a four‑acre parcel divided into four one‑acre lots could not be recorded because county practice limits the number of splits from an original tax map number within a two‑year period. The resident asked council to review the rule because buyers under contract have had to delay closings.

Paul Bitterman, who said he intends to reopen Westminster Speedway with family‑oriented events, asked the council about the county noise ordinance and permitting steps for operating a race track and related events. Council members advised Bitterman to coordinate with County Administrator Amanda Brock to ensure permits and sound‑ordinance exceptions are in order.

Council response and next steps - Chairman Matt Durham said he has asked the county administrator to obtain Clemson's student‑housing regulations for comparison and to return with recommended language that can be applied in Oconee County. - Planning staff said they will review rules governing driveway access and plat recording (the "three‑on‑one" driveway rule and the limit on successive divisions from an original tax map number) and report back. - Council urged residents to document noise and safety incidents and work with sheriff's deputies and county code staff.

The discussion on public comments preceded first readings of several land‑use related ordinances, including a retaining‑wall/setback amendment and rezoning requests; those measures were advanced to later readings.