Grace Fellowship Church gets planning commission recommendation to modify special-use permit; fence requirement replaced by evergreen buffer

The Oconee County Planning Commission on June 16 recommended approval of a special-use permit modification for Grace Fellowship Church (P26-00118) that removes a prior requirement to install a fence in a 25-foot incompatible-use landscape buffer and instead requires a double row of staggered evergreen plantings in specific sections adjacent to residential properties. Planning staff presented the request and outlined detailed conditions for building square footage limits, lighting, right-of-way improvements, and the timing of transportation improvements.

Mark Campbell of Carter Engineering, representing the applicant, told the commission the church provided letters of support from adjacent property owners and was available to answer questions. Commissioners raised concerns about the proposed planting scheme: staff and the applicant explained the proposal calls for 10 evergreen trees per 100 linear feet in the primary row (10-foot spacing with a five-foot offset to create a staggered hedge effect) and a second row of 10 Arizona cypress per 100 linear feet, with minimum heights at planting. Commissioners asked about survivability and maintenance; the applicant said there is a two-year letter of credit as temporary assurance and that, because the planting is a condition of zoning, failed material would be replaced over time.

Staff’s conditions include a cap on total building square footage (including existing and proposed structures), full-cutoff luminaires for site lighting, construction of deceleration and left-turn lanes where required with final designs reviewed by public works, and completion of transportation improvements shown on the concept plan prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy for an expansion of the main church building. Planting and buffer installations are required prior to certificate of occupancy in specified areas adjoining residential and agricultural uses.

A motion to approve the special-use modification with conditions was made, with Robert and Nathan recorded as the mover and seconder; the chair called for a vote and the motion passed and the item will proceed to the Oconee County Board of Commissioners for final action. The transcript records discussion about tree spacing and replacement but does not contain a complete roll-call tally.