The Habersham County Commission has temporarily withdrawn its support of a plan to establish a scenic byway in the northern end of the county. The move came Monday night during the commission’s monthly meeting. It effectively puts the Soque Scenic Byway project on hold.
Commissioners voted 4-1 to table action on the proposed byway after Habersham resident Pete Davitto made them aware that not all of the 300 property owners along the route were notified of two public hearings held earlier this year.
Notification of public hearings is one of the many requirements that must be met before the Georgia Department of Transportation will award a scenic byway designation.
Commissioners will now ask the City of Clarkesville to put the byway application on hold until that requirement is met.
The Soque Scenic Byway has been in the works for more than year. The proposed route runs along a 46.9 mile stretch of existing roadways and includes much of Highway 197 and a number of roads that feed into it.
Commissioners passed a resolution in support of the byway last year at the request of Clarkesville city leaders.
Commission Chairman Chad Henderson says all property owners along the route must be notified and two more public hearings held “before we can go any farther.” He says, after that, the county can either ratify its resolution of support for the byway or rescind it.
Commissioner Sonny James cast the lone dissenting vote Monday. James represents and lives in District 1 which includes most of the byway route. He says, “The majority of my constituents do not want a scenic byway and I can appreciate that.”
Proponents of the plan say state designation as a scenic byway will help protect the natural beauty of the route and attract tourists. Opponents say they’re concerned state guidelines aimed at protecting and preserving the area’s natural beauty will infringe upon their property rights. A number of them turned out for Monday’s meeting.
Sam and Amy Vandiver Sgro were among nearly a dozen residents who expressed their concerns about the byway to commissioners during Monday night’s meeting. They say they are worried about the possibilities of increased traffic, speeding, distracted drivers, trespassing and property damage.
The most vocal critic was U.S. Army retiree Curt Tomlin. Tomlin moved to Habersham County from Texas eight years ago. A visibly upset Tomlin told commissioners Monday, “If this byway thing passes, I will immediately cash out my several hundred thousand dollars I have invested in property, and I will relocate!”
