KOBA’s Soper peppered with questions

Oconee Planning Commission received as information a proposal to establish a section of SC 130/the Rochester Highway as a scenic highway.  A vote could come at the next meeting.  First, however, planning commissioners want answers to questions.  Chief among them is how many property owners along the affected stretch of 130 would favor such, and Chairman Mike Johnson made clear to Phil Soper of Keep Oconee Beautiful he wants assurance that the property owners will get a chance to comment.  Soper last night proposed a section of two-lane 130 between the Old Clemson Highway and Dug Hollow Road be declared scenic and, as such, receive special litter cleanup.  Sentiment last night was that 130 there and its views of Lake Keowee make for one of the county’s beautiful spots, but planning commissioner Mickey Haney questioned whether a scenic designation could infringe on the rights of private landowners.  Soper submitted 50 letters of support, but said he did not know how many of them are adjacent property owners.