Zoning change sails thru City Hall hearing

The zoning board in Walhalla approved a special exception last night to allow Christ Central Ministries’ project to take shape when the county moves to its new jail.  The special exception applies at 300 South Church Street to allow CCM’s “A Hope and a Future” project to help the county’s down and out.  In its first phase, the project will offer a faith-based and recovery resource shelter that CCM’s Ashley Williams says will include an emergency shelter.  Williams said the emphasis will be:  “For individuals here in Oconee County that need extra help to get back on their feet to have the ability to find success in life through life skills….”  The project has the endorsement of Sheriff Mike Crenshaw, who says the county’s new jail will handle the criminal nature of drug offenders while the CCM’s project will address the addictions aspects of it.  Paul Raines and a few other neighbors of the jail raised questions about the extra noise and other potential problems, but appeared satisfied with some of the answers they received.