What’s happening
…in south Oconee county?

Insight from VOSO about things that affect area residents

Sewers: After several public forums, including one on March 23^rd at the Fair Play Community Center, DHEC continues to work on completing the evaluation of the request made by the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority to install a “subsurface drip irrigation” sewer facility at the Golden Corner Commerce Park (GCCP) located on highway 59 at Feltman Rd. As designed, wastewater from the commerce park would be treated on-site then disposed of via a buried drip system on 33.1 acres of the 400 acre site. Sludge generated by treatment would be transported to the existing Coneross Creek treatment facility for final disposal. Additional DHEC approval will be required to expand the facility beyond servicing just the commerce park. A blue ribbon panel appointed by the County Council has recommended that the facility be expanded in the future to service the areas around both exits 2 and 4 of I-85. A decision by DHEC on the first phase is anticipated shortly.

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Water: By now EVERYONE has seen the work being done along highway 59 north of Fair Play by Pioneer Rural Water District. This project, which is replacing the existing 8 inch water supply lines with larger, 20 inch lines, was initiated by Pioneer to both better meet the needs of existing residents, as well as to prepare for what is anticipated to be greater demand for water as south Oconee county develops in the (not too distant!) future. Extending from the intersection of hwy 59 and hwy 24 all the way down through the village, Pioneer has spent over $3M for this improvement, which was just over half of their original estimated cost for the project. Also included in this upgrade was the installation of fire hydrants every 2000 feet.

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Medical Facility: AnMed Health has indicated that they are completing plans to establish a satellite facility in Fair Play. Construction is currently under way to prepare the location on Drs Road, and a contract is in place with the physician that will staff the facility. Current plans are for the clinic to be open and accepting patients later this summer.

Exit 1 development: While not confirmed by the potential developer or the SC Department of State Parks, Recreation & Tourism, “word on the street” is that plans continue to move forward to develop the peninsula behind the South Carolina welcome center at exit 1 on I-85. At this time, we understand that the proposed conference center would include an 18 hole golf course, a marina, and two hotels, one within the development, and one closer to I-85. Plans are anticipated to be finalized shortly, and a press release with all of the particulars made public.

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Carolina Foothills Heritage Fair: The 2010 fair will take place from 9/30 – 10/3, and promises to be bigger and better than the inaugural event last year. This year, the fair will relocate to the Golden Corners Commerce Park location in Fair Play. This new venue will enable the fair to expand and focus even more on the heritage of the area. Plans include more animals than last year, perhaps even utilizing the historic barns on the GCCP property, as well as demonstration gardens showcasing crops from the area’s past. Make plans now to support the fair with your attendance!

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Zoning Update: The county council and planning commission continue to “work the kinks out” of the Zoning Enabling Ordinance (ZEO) that was enacted last May. Once the ZEO went into effect, the entire county was zoned as “control free”, and a series of guidelines were established to guide residents in the process required to rezone their property from control free to one of the defined zoning standards. Existing property uses and structures are “grandfathered” by the ZEO, and any change to zoning applies only to future land uses. While several rezoning requests have been successfully completed since this law was put in place, including a number in south Oconee, some recent requests have had issues that have delayed their completion. The issues seem to be driven by a lack of understanding by some residents involved in the rezoning activity.

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If you found this information to be helpful, consider joining VOSO. By doing so, you will receive regular updates on activities that effect you, via e-mail. You will also be invited to attend VOSO sponsored meetings, and solicited for your input regarding issues that directly affect south Oconee residents. To join, send your name and e-mail address to: VoiceOfSouthOconee@Gmail.com There is no cost to join VOSO.