AVOC
December 6, 2004
Has a Deal Been Struck in Oconee County?
By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc.
Oconee County seems on the verge of approving the largest residential development in the history of the county- and one of the largest in the Northeast Georgia area. Yet rumors abound about discussions and commitments made by the county months ago before the rezone hearing process even started? There are some letters of interest about sewer and infrastructure representations, if not commitments. SEE COPIES BELOW
The December 7 BOC Agenda has more residential and commercial rezones, in size, than have occurred annually in years past in Oconee County.
There have been rumors for months about discussions between the developers and the county. Questions have been raised about sewer capacity, transportation planning (County and State Roads Capability), impact on schools etc. However, it appears the County has been satisfied privately with these issues.
The Rezone public hearing for December 7 appears to be just another hoop to jump through- inconvenient but not formidable. Comments by Chairman Davis in the 12-6-04 issue of the Athens Banner-Herald demonstrate his impatience with the Hearing process. ….†“…... "I don't care if there is 23 or 40 that sign up, they're going to have 20 minutes," Davis said. …..
QUESTIONS:
- How much sewer capacity is needed?
- How much does the county have?
- Has the capacity been paid for?
- Does this project mean the $26 Million Master Wastewater Plan has been accepted as a “done dealâ€- to be done in increments?

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September 20, 2004
Oconee County Board of Commissioners
Oconee County Public Utilities
P.O. Box 145
Watkinsville, Georgia 30677
COPY
HAND DELIVERED
RE: Parkside Development Sanitary Sewer
This letter agreement will confirm the development plans of Plant A Seed, L.L.C., developer of Parkside Development. for sanitary sewer service to the project. If available at the time of development of this project, we agree to connect into and utilize the public sewer system of Oconee County, Georgia. If capacity is not available at the time of development of this project, we agree to pay the necessary capacity and connection fees to advance the construction of an upgrade to the existing County facility (LAS) on Rocky Branch Road to 1 MGD.
We hope this letter agreement adequately addresses the sewer needs of this project. If there are any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Plant A Seed, L.L.C.
(Signed)
By: _______________________________
Mark L. Jennings, Managing Member
The terms of this letter agreement are acceptable to the Oconee County, Georgia Public Utilities Department.
Oconee County Georgia Public Utilities
By: __(Signed)___________________
Gary Dodd, Director

OCONEE COUNTY UTILITY DEPARTMENT
October 19,2004
Ken Beall
Beall, Gonnsen & Company
1551 Jennings Mill Parkway Building 500, Suite A
Bogart, Georgia 30622
Re: - Water and Sewer Capacity For Commercial and Residential Development Parks ide, Dooley Property.
Dear Ken
Subject to the existing County policies on sewer connection and capacity reservation, capacity is currently available for this project from the County Calls Creek WRF and water is available from the 12" main located on Highway 53. Availability of capacity does not guarantee connection; this project will require approval from the County Board of Commissioners.
Availability is also subject to obtaining a satisfactory technical review of the applicable water and/or sewer extension application package from the County engineer at the construction plan review stage.
Any cost associated with this project to connect to the existing County distribution or collection system would have been the responsibility of the developer. Engineering plans would be required to be submitted to the Oconee County Engineering Department for approval.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 706-769-2932.
Sincerely
(Signed) Gary T. Dodd (Signed) Michael Leonas
Gary Dodd Mike Leonas, P.E.
Director County Engineer
Oconee County Utility Department Oconee County Public Works
Pc: Melvin Davis, Chairman BOC
Matt Forshee, Senior Planner
Project File
P.O. BOX 88, WATKINSVILLE, GEORGIA 30677
PH (706) 769-3960 – FAX (706) 769-3997
The Athens Banner-Herald
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/120604/new_20041206036.shtml
December 6, 2004
Jammed Oconee agenda focuses on developments
By Mike D'Avria
Oconee County commissioners will have their hands full Tuesday night, voting on a massive list of rezoning requests which, if all get approved, would authorize the construction of more than 1,100 new residential units and more than 900,000 square feet of commercial space……..
Parkside MPD The commission will also consider a rezoning and a variance for Parkside, the 500-acre MPD off Georgia Highway 53 - which is planned to have 810 single-family houses, a 550,000-square-foot outdoor shopping mall and land donated for a school. The 25 acres of land proposed for a school, and 1.5 acres to be set aside for a fire station or library, have recently been a source of controversy. .....
Commission Chairman Melvin Davis said it doesn't matter how many people sign up to speak Tuesday night, because supporters and opponents each will get 20 minutes to present their arguments. "I don't care if there is 23 or 40 that sign up, they're going to have 20 minutes," Davis said. …..