1-5-05 Apalachee River Rezone of 837.6 acres by Oconee BOC- PART 1

1-5-05 Apalachee River Rezone of 837.6 acres by Oconee BOC- PART 1

…….It seems that the Chairman of the Oconee County Planning Commission is also the registered agent for the owner-applicant of one of the tracts: Request No. 4757 by A.L.P. Development, Inc., ± 421.84 acres, located on U.S. Hwy. 441, from A-1 to AR-5.

AVOC on 8-18-05: “ ….efforts should be directed toward buying forest land and scenic areas as public property and preserving them for the enjoyment and use by future generations. Oconee County has a lot of river frontage. Some of it should be preserved. We do not need houses hanging on the banks for the full lengths of these rivers.

In Oconee County, the Apalachee Beach Area and the High Shoals dam and shoals area are unique and worthy of saving. Preservationists should visit these sites and see the beauty and wisdom of saving them…”

8-18-05 Good “Land” Conservation Purchases Need Thought and Planning

AVOC

January 4, 2006

Apalachee River Rezone of 837.6 acres by Oconee BOC

By Wendell Dawson, AVOC, Inc.

After the December 6, 2005, Oconee BOC meeting, AVOC heard from some citizens upset with the rezoning for residential two tracts of over 400 acres each on U. S. 441 and the Apalachee River at the Morgan County Line.

After looking into the situation, AVOC discovered some interesting issues. It seems that the Chairman of the Oconee County Planning Commission is also the registered agent for the owner-applicant of one of the tracts: Request No. 4757 by A.L.P. Development, Inc., ± 421.84 acres, located on U.S. Hwy. 441, from A-1 to AR-5. The Planning Commission considered this rezone at its November 21, 2005, meeting. Mr. Arnold recused himself (no reason given in Minutes) and Bill Ramsey presided. The item was recommended for approval on a 4 to 2 vote.

At the same Planning Commission meeting the other Apalachee Rezone was considered. Rezone Request No. 4126 by Richard H. Garrett, Jr., ± 415.76 acres, located on U.S. Hwy. 441, from A-1 to AR-5. This one had been involved in a lawsuit and apparently there was some sort of agreement with the county (AVOC will be seeking a copy of the Court Order in the case) A motion to Table (AVOC understands Mr. Arnold did not participate in this motion) was approved on a 4 to 2 vote (Marshall & Maxey voting no). Even though the Planning Commission did not act, the Item was acted on at the December 6 BOC meeting. The Planning Staff had recommended 17 conditions. AVOC understands that the BOC approved less conditions.

Another interesting issue is a Letter to a citizen from Chairman Melvin Davis (see below) explaining the rezones and the county’s actions. The letter was dated December 12, only four days after the BOC-BOE joint retreat at the NEGA RDC. The Chairman shows a lack of understanding of the real cost of education and government services in Oconee County.

Chairman Davis does not mention the Apalachee River, watershed protection, lack of government facilities in area, Greenspace ideas, or the County’s Land Use Plan. It does quote persons defending selling farmers in the past, “..part of their retirement..”. However, the Timber Companies that did own much of this land were not seeking “a retirement”. Neither are the developers.

Another interesting issue is the address of the applicant Corporation (A L P Dev), except for Dan Arnold, is the same one for other corporations that have been doing rezones or building in Oconee County.

QUERY: Is the Chairman of the Oconee County Planning Commission acting as a “Go Between” for Metro Atlanta Builders?

Maybe we need another vacancy on the Planning Commission.

AVOC UPDATE: On January 3, the BOC did appoint Chuck Steen (non-development community rep.) to succeed Jim Ivey. Chuck Steen is well qualified and can make valuable contributions on the Planning Commission.

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GA Sec of State -Corp. Division

A L P DEVELOPMENT, INC. (DOMESTIC PROFIT)	*Officers*
2171 BARNETT SHOALS RD. WATKINSVILLE, GA 30677

Control #	Status	Filing Date	Last AR Paid	Jurisdiction
0555495	ACTIVE/OWES CURRENT YEAR AR	08/12/2005	08/29/2005	GEORGIA

Registered Agent	Agent Address		Agent County
DAN ARNOLD	2171 BARNETT SHOALS RD.	WATKINSVILLE, GA 30677	OCONEE

A L P DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Corporate Officers

Title	Name	Address
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER	JERRY PECK	123 N. BROAD STREET WINDER, GEORGIA 30680
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER	LUDGER LANTHIER	123 N. BROAD STREET WINDER, GEORGIA 30680
SECRETARY	DAN ARNOLD	2171 BARNETT SHOALS ROAD WATKINSVILLE, GEORGIA 30677

ANOTHER CORPORATION AT SAME ADDRESS

LAND STAR DEVELOPMENT, LLC. (GEORGIA LIMITED LIABILITY)	*Officers*
123 N. BROAD STREET WINDER, GA 30680

Control #	Status	Filing Date	Last AR Paid	Jurisdiction
0332029	ACTIVE/OWES CURRENT YEAR AR	06/09/2003	10/31/2005	GEORGIA

Registered Agent	Agent Address		Agent County
LUDGER W. LANTHIER	123 N. BROAD STREET	WINDER, GA 30680	BARROW

SEE Related AVOC Articles:

9-26-05 Oconee County “Spot Zoning” and “Scatter Shot” Development

3-14-05 Many Observers Think Oconee Development Influence Is Obvious

12-20-04 Oconee's Behind the Scenes "Wheeling & Dealing"

9-1-05 What a Difference a Year Makes In Oconee County- Residences Popping Up Everywhere

8-18-05 Good “Land” Conservation Purchases Need Thought and Planning

5-24-05 How & Where to Preserve Greenspace –Oconee’s Central School House

12-6-03 Stream Protection In Growing Counties Is Good Thing

2-16-05 Land Preservation Program Offers Opportunity for Oconee County

11-15-04 Rezones Are Moving Fast In Oconee County

ARTICLE Continued at Part 2