Stephen Bray
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners denied Adam Swann’s proposal for development on Yancey Road by a 4-1 vote on Monday night at the courthouse.
The 25-home subdivision had generated much buzz throughout the county and on social media, prompting officials to move the meeting from the county building to the larger courthouse.
Of the nearly 100 attendees, 17 spoke against Swann’s plan to rezone 108 acres from A2 (General Agriculture) to AR (Agricultural Residential). Tracy Norman was the only commissioner to vote in favor of the development in the 80-minute meeting.
Nearly every opponent voiced concern about the increased traffic where Yancey and Old Edwards roads intersect with Highway 78, but other concerns included keeping the county’s rural feel and the lack of infrastructure, especially water, in the area.
“The reason we all live here in Oglethorpe County is because it’s an agricultural place,” said Jaime Moore, who lives near Moss Creek. “There’s a lot of delicate environmental systems there that having a subdivision would completely change where we live, and I was really glad that they heard that part.”
Stephen Bray, an insurance agent and Arnoldsville resident, said that he supported the board’s decision because of traffic in the area.
“I know personally, in my business, probably no less than 15 of my customers have accidents there,” Bray said. “I think it’s unfortunate for the developer … but I think it was the right decision.”
Jay Paul, chairman of the Board of the Commissioners, set the guidelines for speakers by allowing Swann’s representatives to speak first, followed by those who were against the development.
Casey Marbutt, Swann's representative, argued that the subdivision fit the county’s long-term plans. Ryan Martin, a Crawford resident and the developer’s superintendent, also defended the project.
“This request is consistent with the comprehensive plan, compatible with the surrounding development patterns and complying with the county's ordinance framework without the need for variances,” Marbutt said.
Speaking during the meeting, residents said they were mostly concerned about the added traffic and the dangers of trying to pull out of or turn onto both Yancey and Old Edwards roads.
“I get to work the accidents that happen, I get to hear the springing of brakes, and the clashing of cars. It’s horrific,” said Jessica Brooks, a registered nurse who lives on Old Edwards Road. “It is gonna be a traffic nightmare, and there’s gonna be lives lost.”
Some residents, like 16-year-old Ashby Booth, an Oglethorpe County High School student, urged the board to make the area safer before considering new development.
“I think that it’s worth it that you look into some traffic signals in the area, whether it be a stoplight or a four-way stop,” Booth said.
McKay Crowley, who lives on Old Edwards Road, defended the county’s rural setting.
“Rural character is rarely lost all at once … it’s lost one rezoning at a time, one reasonable subdivision at a time, one exception at a time,” she said.
Martin was allowed to provide rebuttal, specifically addressing several issues.
He said any intersection can be prone to accidents and added there is an offline well in the area that Swann planned to buy the necessary filters to use.
Many residents were concerned the county’s water supply could not handle additional homes, but Martin said the well would be able to support the neighborhood.
Both he and Marbutt declined to comment on the board’s decision.
While the Board denied the request, District 2 Commissioner Andy Saxon said going forward, sellers should make it clear they don’t want a subdivision on their property to avoid instances like this.
Norman agreed, noting that property owners need to place deed restrictions on their land to ensure it remains agricultural.
“Deed restrictions follow that land forever,” Norman said. “That is a very important tool that is not well used by people, and it needs to be used.”
Sound improved
Two microphones were placed at the tables used by the commissioners and one was added to the lectern for public comment, improving the sound quality in the courthouse from the March meeting, when both the public and commissioners had issues.
“It was better, but it still needs more refinement,” Paul said. “I think overall, it was much, much improved.”
Residents who spoke during the meeting needed to hold that mic near to their mouths for the attendees to hear.
The county has plans to continue to improve the sound quality at the courthouse by upgrading the technology and potentially adding sound baffles.
Burn ban lifted
The BOC voted unanimously to lift the county’s burn ban, as recommended by Emergency Management Administrator Douglas Spencer.
While the county is still undergoing a drought, Spencer said conditions have improved. The county received an excess amount of rain in May, and a persistent drought is no longer predicted for June, July and August.
In other business, the BOC:
Voted 4-1 to approve an intergovernmental agreement with the Economic Development Authority (EDA). This will allow the EDA to market and sell four parcels of county-owned land off of Buddy Faust Road. District 3 Commissioner David Clark voted against it.
Unanimously approved a $25,000 amendment to the Board of Election’s budget. The Board of Elections recently voted to add a full-time election assistant. The funds will support that position.
- Unanimously approved revisions to the Oglethorpe County UDC Section 712: Solar Energy Systems. The revisions add a battery storage ordinance.