Photo Credit: Lee Becker

Road work on Mars Hill Road.

Oconee County Strategic and Long-Range Planning Director Wayne Provost told Oconee County commissioners back in January that they could get an idea of what Mars Hill Road could look like in the future by looking at Epps Bridge Parkway today. 

Provost said that the county promoted development along Epps Bridge Parkway between the Loop and the county line at McNutt Creek by its investment in water, sewer and transportation infrastructure.

The county could control some of the possible development along Mars Hill Road by limiting investment, particularly in sewer services, Provost said. 

According to Provost, a certain level of development is almost inevitable, however, with the widening of the road to four lanes with turn lanes and a median. 

Provost said creation of an overlay district was one tool that could be used to control some aspects of that development. 

County consultant Bill Ross is to discuss his proposed overlay district in meetings with citizens from 3 to 7 p. m. today at the Community Center in Veterans Park on Hog Mountain Road.

For more, visit Oconee County Observations.