Planned senior living project clears a hurdle

Developers’ plans for a senior living complex near Seneca cleared an Oconee County regulatory requirement last night when the board of zoning appeals granted a special exception.  The board approved a special exception for a Phoenix senior living project at the northeast corner of Bountyland and the Sheep Farm roads.  Board member Marty McKee, a former employee of the property seller, disqualified himself from the consideration.  Chairman Jim Codner and other board members were impressed by the plans presented by Daniel Marinko, making note that the county’s comprehensive plan recognizes the need for senior housing, considering the rising numbers of senior age county residents.  The only controversy that arose pertained to traffic, with one outspoken audience member predicting that someone will die in an accident at the intersection due to poor oncoming traffic visibility.