Citizens Voice Concerns At Hearing About Oconee County Sale Of Bonds For Presbyterian Homes

***County Attorney Says No Liability***

Citizens who spoke at the hearing on Thursday regarding the county’s plans to issue $155 million in bonds for Presbyterian Village Athens raised two concerns.

Some said they felt the bonds represented a risk to the county.

Oconee County Board Delays Action On Rezone For Shopping Center At Malcom Bridge School Complex

***2003 And 2004 Rezones At Issue***

Oconee County commissioners Tuesday night delayed until Oct. 2 their decision on a rezone for a proposed shopping center between Lenru Road and Malcom Bridge Road just south of Malcom Bridge Elementary and Malcom Bridge Middle schools.

The commissioners made that decision after receiving only opposition from residents in neighborhoods surrounding the proposed development, hearing from and interacting with the developer, and getting input from county staff.

Hearing On $155 Million Bond Sale For Presbyterian Homes Gives Citizens What May Be Sole Chance To Offer Comment

***Largest Bond Issue To Date***

Oconee County will hold at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Courthouse in Watkinsville what could be the only public hearing on the issuance of $155 million in revenue bonds for Presbyterian Village Athens.

County Attorney Daniel Haygood will serve as the hearing officer at the meeting, which is required by the United States Internal Revenue Service before the county can approve the issuance of the tax-exempt bonds.

Oconee County Commissioners To Consider Zoning Change For Shopping Center Near Malcom Bridge School Complex

***Already Zoned Commercial***

Oconee County commissioners tomorrow (Tuesday) will take up a request to modify zoning for a shopping center on land between Lenru Road and Malcom Bridge Road just south of the Malcom Bridge Middle School.

The 7.5 acre tract has been zoned for commercial use since 2004 but has not been developed and is surrounded by residential and school properties.

Two Democratic Candidates For Oconee County Board of Education Want To Improve Transparency And School Safety

***Schools Are Good But Can Be Better***

Fran Thompson and Andrea Wellnitz told Oconee County Democrats that they are running as a team for spots on the Oconee County Board of Education.

Both said they are seeking to improve transparency in the schools, to guarantee that the school environment is a safe one, and to make sure the schools serve the social and emotional needs of all students.

Federal Appeals Court Ruled Against Oconee County Denial Of Cell Tower Permit, Board Of Commissioners Told

***McRees Mill Road Site***

As a result of a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta, Verizon Wireless will be able to build a cell tower on 42 acres on McRees Mill Road off Barnett Shoals Road despite denial of a permit for the tower by Oconee County in 2014.

Oconee County Commission Chair John Daniell announced the court ruling and subsequent negotiations at the Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday night, just before the Board approved a change to its Utility Accommodation Ordinance to regulate small cell telecommunications technology.

Oconee County Commissioners Are Considering Transferring Economic Development Staff Function To Chamber Of Commerce

***Proposal Includes Other Governments***

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners is considering contracting with the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce to handle economic development rather than employ a county economic development director.

Under the proposal, the Chamber of Commerce would designate a staff person to manage economic development for the county.