Planning commission recommends rezoning 3.14 acres for hotel near Eppsbridge Parkway

The Oconee County Planning Commission on Feb. 17 recommended approval of rezone P240257 to convert about 3.14 acres from agricultural to B-2 to allow a hotel development along Eppsbridge Parkway/ Parkway Boulevard.

Planning staff presented a concept plan and recommended conditional approval with standard conditions for exterior materials and screening of service areas; staff’s conditions require that at least 80% of exterior wall surfaces be brick, stone veneer or glass and that service areas and dumpsters be screened by a six-foot masonry wall with facade materials matching the principal structures.

Mark Campbell of Carter Engineering, representing the applicant, described the site as a somewhat isolated 3.1-acre portion of a larger parcel separated by a stream and said the development group is experienced with local hotel projects. He said the product under consideration would be similar to a Home2 Suites/Fairfield Inn type of hotel and that construction, if pursued, would likely take place in 2026–27. “I think this would be an opportunity here...similar in some ways to a Fairfield Inn and Suites,” Campbell said.

Commissioners asked about expected clientele, whether the project could attract long-term residents and about stormwater and site details; Campbell said the developer expects short-term hotel stays rather than long-term occupancy and noted the property is under contract and would be developed only after rezoning and site work.

A motion to approve P240257 with staff conditions was made and seconded; the commission recommended approval and forwarded the matter to the Board of Commissioners for final action. The transcript records the commission’s approval but does not include a roll-call tally.