Oconee “a sitting duck” for developers

Fears of recession are real, but big trucks pulling heavy machinery continue up and down Oconee County roads, streets, and highways, and the local economy seems to be humming along.  One county resident thinks it’s time to pause new development.  Patsy Davis complained to the county council that the county has become a “sitting duck” for building on undeveloped land, and she’s worried that the county services won’t be able to keep up.  Davis last night called for the county’s governing board to enact a moratorium on subdivisions, saying Utica near Seneca is now seeing three new developments.  She presented a petition signed by 23 people who see it her way and suggested a two-year moratorium.  Her thoughts struck a cord with the county councilman who is serving in his last year.  Paul Cain, who stepped down at election time, responded to Davis and said he envisions next year’s council as having to come to grips with balancing development against preserving some of the county’s natural beauty that has attracted development from the outside.  Cain, Seneca’s councilman, said the county planning commission should analyze the evolving situation and either control or manage growth.  One of citizen Davis’s fears is that, as more land is developed, the opportunity for county residents to grow their own food will decrease.