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Planning commission recommends rezoning 5.4 acres on Plantation Drive to allow family use
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Summary
The Oconee County Planning Commission on April 20 recommended approval of a rezoning request by Cynthia Bode to change about 5.4 acres from AG to AR, subject to conditions including widening Plantation Drive to a 60-foot right-of-way at the owner’s expense; supporters said the change would keep the property in family ownership.
The Oconee County Planning Commission on April 20 recommended approval of a rezoning request (P260640044) to change roughly 5.4 acres from agricultural (AG) to agricultural-residential (AR), with staff conditions that include improving Plantation Drive to county standards and dedicating right-of-way up to 60 feet.
Planning staff said the request, submitted by applicant/owner Cynthia Bode for Parcel B03006BA, would remove a restriction from a prior variance (5601) that had limited the number of lots shown on a 2007 concept plan and would allow the property to be split per the new concept. Staff recommended conditional approval with three standard conditions and additional transportation improvements: Plantation Drive must be upgraded to current county standards to serve the second lot allowed by the variance, with the owner paying for required right-of-way dedication and road expansion to 60 feet as determined by the director of public works.
Several nearby residents told the commission they supported the rezoning. Daniel Bode, who said he grew up in Oconee and is moving back with his family, said the rezoned land “was gonna be family land that we’re gonna build on,” and that his family plans to live on that property in the future. Charlie Neely, who said he lives at 1154 Plantation Drive, told the commission he supported the request because the property would keep family members together. An owner identified herself as Cynthia Bode and confirmed ownership of the parcel.
A commissioner asked staff to confirm that the road-improvement condition required widening Plantation Drive and providing an end-of-road turnaround or bus turnaround as needed; staff confirmed the requirement and noted that additional right-of-way dedication may be required to meet the 60-foot standard.
Following closed public comment, the commission moved to a vote. Commissioners raised hands in favor of the staff-recommended conditions and the motion passed among those present. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Oconee County Board of Commissioners for final action.
