Road projects to accommodate Zaxby’s plans

The state’s “C” Fund Committee for Oconee County approved up to $80 thousand for a deceleration lane and cross-over for a restaurant chain that has plans to locate in Walhalla.  The project funding approved this morning in a 2 to 1 vote separated “C” Fund Chairman Sam Dickson and Tally Grant from a third committee member, Dick Cottingham.  Grant presented the funding request, on behalf of the city of Walhalla.  But Cottingham read a prepared statement in which he said he had consulted with county officials, the DOT, and others and although it’s legal to fund the work inside the public right of way, it’s setting a bad precedent.  Dickson, however, said he two had made similar contacts and became convinced that the deceleration lane and crossover represent a good economic development project for the Walhalla area, which first heard more than a year ago that the property had been set aside for a Zaxby’s but had not been built.