The Oconee County Planning Commission voted Dec. 8 to recommend approval of a rezoning application introduced by planning staff (listed in the hearing as an item beginning with 'P 25 0 2 3 0'), which would reconfigure several parcels and rezone roughly 4.82 acres from AR‑3 to B‑1 to permit a neighborhood grocery and associated uses.

Planning staff said the request comes with standard conditions and site‑specific controls: owner‑funded road improvements to ensure impacted intersections meet Level of Service C, a requirement that service areas and dumpsters be visually screened by a six‑foot masonry wall with facade materials matching the principal structure (wood or chain‑link enclosures prohibited), and a drive‑through/stacking lane designed to Institute of Traffic Engineers standards to be approved by Planning and Public Works.

Frank Pittman of Pittman & Greer Engineering, representing the developer and property owners, described the proposal as a locally owned 'Market Station' about 19,500 square feet in size with gas pumps, an outdoor pavilion and a family restaurant of up to 4,000 square feet. Pittman said a traffic study has been completed and shows only minor improvements needed on Bishop Farms Parkway: "It is in the Civic Center character area which supports this use," he said, adding the applicant is agreeable to staff conditions.

Developer Cissy Watson presented the concept as an upscale, locally owned market with prepared foods, a bakery and coffee program and said the project intends to partner with local nonprofits on hiring and serve University of North Georgia students who lack a campus cafeteria. Owner representative Luke Bishop told the commission the family prefers a local concept rather than a national chain.

Resident Dan McGee opposed the plan during public comment, arguing weekday afternoon congestion on Experiment Station and the nearby UNG entrance already backs up traffic, noting wetlands on the site and stating past local grocery efforts failed. McGee questioned traffic projections and profitability and objected to visible gas pumps and drive‑through elements, saying the proposal "quacks like a duck" in his view.

The applicant team countered those points, noting the four‑lane improvements to the corridor and that the property was planned for commercial use in the comprehensive plan and Marshall overlay. Commissioners asked about lot splits, variances, ADA access to an upstairs restaurant and building design; staff confirmed variances and site plan details would be addressed in later reviews.

Commissioner Colby moved to approve staff's recommended conditions; the motion received a second and commissioners approved the recommendation by raised hands. The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be sent to the Board of Commissioners for a final decision.

Next steps: the item will be scheduled for Board of Commissioners consideration; final site design, required variances and any building permits will be handled in later steps if the Board approves the rezoning.