Popular sentiment won’t decide Keowee River project

A two-hour meeting moved Oconee Planning Commission closer to changes in standards that developers must follow.  For a second time this month, the planning commissioners’ meeting was dominated by worries for the potential of a large commercial/residential project on SC 130.  At the outset last night, Chairman Mike Johnson cautioned those audience members opposed to what’s called Keowee River, a project pursued by Greenshores Development LLC that commission decisions can’t be predicated by public opinion.  Johnson implored concerned members of the public to produce the issues that can go on a list for what the planners can use to do their job.  Issues such as green space, clear-cutting, density, and traffic congestion are the kinds of issues that planning commission meeting audiences have drawn attention to during a March 4 meeting and again last night.  In the end, the commission agreed to direct its staff to compile what’s been said onto a list of issues from which to choose.  Chairman Johnson believes because of Oconee’s uniqueness, it’s likely that there can’t be a “one size fits all” solution.