The proposed home of The Fairways.

Eco Development Group of Athens is asking the Oconee County Planning Commission to recommend rezoning a mothballed residential subdivision off Virgil Langford Road so it can build what it calls a “seniors continuum of care retirement community.”

The request parallels in significant ways the 2012 request by Presbyterian Homes of Georgia to rezone an unbuilt subdivision on Rocky Branch Road for a continuing care retirement community, the official classification that also would apply to the Eco Development Group project.

PHG ran into significant opposition from residents of active and built-out subdivisions on Rocky Branch Road, and it ultimately withdrew its request because of difficulties in obtaining sewage service.

The project before the Planning Commission tomorrow night also has some challenges in terms of sewage service, and some of the adjoining property is residential, but other adjoining parcels are zoned for business and medical park use.

In addition, another developer announced the groundbreaking earlier this month of an assisted living center off Highway 316, but the developer has not acquired permits yet.

For more, visit Oconee County Observations.