After more than a year of dialogue and debate the battle continues over Habersham County’s proposed Soque Scenic Byway. The Habersham County Commission will discuss the proposed byway Monday during its monthly commission meeting. Opponents of the byway are expected to attend the meeting to voice their continued opposition to the plan.
Supporters of the plan want the Georgia Department of Transportation to designate Highway 197 North and other roads feeding into it as a scenic byway to preserve the county’s natural beauty and attract tourists. The Habersham County Commission passed a resolution earlier this year in support of the byway.
Opponents are asking the county to rescind its support. They fear a byway would infringe upon personal property rights. Despite assurances to the contrary, opponents aren’t budging. They’ve launched a petition drive and are traveling through Habersham, knocking on doors, soliciting signatures against it.
Anyone wishing to speak about the byway – or any other topic – during Monday night’s commission meeting must be on the agenda. Those who sign up to speak by tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 14, will get five minutes to speak. Those who sign up to speak on the night of the meeting will be allowed three minutes at the podium.
To get on the agenda call Habersham County Clerk Crystal Ward at 706-839-0200 or email her at [email protected].
The Habersham County Commission meets Monday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. in the new Habersham County Judicial Center off Stanford Mill Road in Clarkesville.
For a copy of Monday night’s Habersham County Commission agenda click here.
Proposed Route
This is a description of the proposed byway route as presented on the Habersham County government website:
“The Soque Scenic Byway is a 46.9-mile long route in the northern portion of Habersham County. Much of the route parallels the Soque River. The byway passes through downtown Clarkesville and several smaller communities. Travelers along the route experience a variety of settings including magnificent vistas of the river and mountains; woodlands, forests and creeks; various parks, preserves and conservation areas; small farms, agricultural and rural countryside; a small- town main street; diverse and distinctive architecture; and, most importantly, the Soque River corridor itself.”
To learn more visit the Habersham County website at https://www.habershamga.com/soque-scenic-byway-program.cfm?lid=412
