Clarkesville planner asks Habersham County to study restoring town square, proposes replacing lost parking with deck

Lou Oliver, a Clarkesville resident and town planner, asked the Habersham County Board of Commissioners on March 17 to consider restoring the historic Clarkesville town square and to direct county staff, in coordination with the City of Clarkesville and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), to study feasibility and traffic routing.

Oliver presented two conceptual drawings. One option would retain the current road alignment and create two linear civic greens; the other option would more closely restore the original square but would require significant traffic re‑routing, which Oliver said “would take an act of Congress” to resolve. He said GDOT had indicated the first option (a pair of linear green spaces and traffic calming pavers) was feasible.

Why it matters: Oliver said the proposal would return a public gathering space to downtown Clarkesville and improve pedestrian safety during events by providing defined green space separated from moving traffic. The concept would remove parking spaces in the existing downtown lot; Oliver’s draft resolution states approximately 36 spaces would be removed and directs that an equal number be replaced, potentially by constructing a parking deck on city‑ or county‑owned parcels.

Oliver read the core of his proposed resolution into the record and asked the commission to charge the county manager to coordinate applicable departments, the City of Clarkesville and GDOT to perform traffic and feasibility studies. He told the board he had identified potential replacement parking sites in the downtown area, including parcels he read into the record as possible locations for a deck.

Commissioners did not take immediate action. Several said they would need time to review the drawings and to coordinate with the city and county attorneys before any formal vote. “The county moves a little slower than the city,” a commissioner said, adding the board would review the proposal and follow up. Staff and commissioners emphasized that any change could not proceed without replacing lost parking spaces as Oliver proposed.

Clarifying details Oliver provided on the record included: - Approximately 36 parking spaces would be removed under the preferred concept (Oliver said a printed “37” on his draft was a typo). - Suggested replacement parcels included addresses Oliver read into the record; feasibility would depend on site control and further study. - GDOT reviewed the concepts and described one option as “somewhat feasible,” according to Oliver.

Next steps: Oliver asked the commission to authorize staff to coordinate a formal study; commissioners requested time to consult with the City of Clarkesville and county counsel and said the matter would return for future discussion. No formal motion or vote was taken on the resolution at the March 17 meeting.

Ending: Oliver left a copy of his draft resolution with the clerk and commissioners said they would review it and consult with city officials before considering a study request or formal action.