Oconee County commissioners approve rezoning for 2153 Barnett Shoals, award Civic Center repairs and greenlight several design contracts

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday took several formal actions: it approved a rezoning request for 2153 Barnett Shoals Road, accepted a bid to repair the county Civic Center, and approved architectural and transportation design contracts.

Rezoning: 2153 Barnett Shoals Road (P25-0015)

The board voted to rezone a 48.96-acre parcel at 2153 Barnett Shoals Road from AG (agricultural) to AR (agricultural-residential) with modified conditions. The applicant, property owner Blake Underwood, had asked to rezone to AR to allow up to 12 lots; staff and the planning commission recommended conditional approval to AR-3 with standard conditions including a specific staff-recommended requirement to place stormwater ponds on separate utility lots.

The board's final action removed the staff'recommended condition requiring stormwater ponds to be on separate utility lots (condition 4 as presented) and struck condition 5, and added an explicit condition that the development be limited to a maximum of 12 lots. The motion carried (vote recorded as "aye"; no roll-call tally was given in the meeting transcript).

Why it matters: the board's change preserves the applicant's plan for a mix of two-acre parcels at the road frontage with larger estate lots in the rear. Opponents raised concerns about preservation of a 165-year-old structure on the site and about notice; a resident, Susanna Hummel, submitted a sworn affidavit to planning staff alleging the county had not complied with its Unified Development Code notice rules and asked the board to postpone action until notice remained in place for the required 15 days. Planning staff and the county attorney responded that the notices were provided and that the code does not require certified mail; staff said a dated photograph shows a sign posted at least 15 days earlier and that when staff learned a sign had been down they reinstalled it.

Civic Center repairs (RFP 20530016)

The board accepted the committee recommendation and awarded the Civic Center repairs to Reims Construction in the amount of $505,404.54, with an additional 10% owner's contingency authorized. The motion passed without public opposition.

Hog Mountain / Wellbrook roundabout design

Commissioners approved a design-services contract to create plans for a roundabout at Hog Mountain Road and Wellbrook Road (near US-441) and an alternative raised median design. Engineers recommended design work split into $195,000 for the roundabout design and $55,000 for the alternative raised median (a combined $275,000), plus a 10% owner's contingency. The board approved the recommendation and staff said the design will be used to engage developers for right-of-way acquisition and future construction contributions.

Dawson Park gym and field services architectural services

The board approved selection of Hill Foley Rossi as architect for Dawson Park design work: a not-to-exceed $185,000 fee for a Field Services building and a $397,000 not-to-exceed amount for a two-gym configuration. Commissioners said bringing the architect on early will allow civil and building designs to coordinate.

Routine items

The board approved the meeting agenda and minutes for April 1 and April 29 by unanimous voice vote.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting)

- Rezoning P25-0015 (2153 Barnett Shoals Rd): Approved (motion carried; conditions modified: removed condition 4 and 5; added maximum of 12 lots). Mover/second: not specified in transcript; vote: voice vote "Aye"; outcome: approved.

- Civic Center repairs (RFP 20530016): Award to Reims Construction, $505,404.54 plus 10% contingency. Mover/second: not specified; outcome: approved.

- Hog Mountain / Wellbrook roundabout design: Approve combined design scope at $275,000 plus 10% contingency. Mover/second: not specified; outcome: approved.

- Dawson Park architectural services: Hill Foley Rossi selected; not-to-exceed amounts $185,000 (Field Services building) and $397,000 (two-gym configuration). Outcome: approved.

What the record shows: The transcript records voice votes with commissioners saying "Aye" and the chair announcing "Motion carries." No roll-call tallies or recorded dissent appear in the transcript for these agenda actions.