Lauch site to be voted on by Commission

Terry Stephens, owner of Stephens Storage and Big Dogs on the River, requested a special use permit to allow for a riverside launch site is scheduled to be voted on at the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission meeting on April 2.

     Concern was shown by nearby homeowners about privacy, according to county documents. Stephens addressed these by agreeing to add a screening fence between the residential homes and the launch site and  to add provisions to his licensing and risk agreement that all kayakers will sign.

     “I think that the work he has done here and with the neighbors and the way that he is going to amend his risk agreement has made this a good plan,” said Jerry NeSmith, the district 6 commissioner, of Stephens.

     The site on Vaughn Road is currently vacant, but it is zoned Single-Family Residential. The special use permit would allow Stephens to use the land as a commercial outdoor recreation site.

     Stephens was granted a special use permit at the March 5 meeting for the relocation of the kayaking pick-up site on Atlanta Highway.

     “Getting people on the river, raising awareness of the river, enjoying the river, cleaning the river--that’s what this is about,” said NeSmith at the March 5 meeting of the special use permit request. “I appreciate Mr. Stephan’s initiative in this.”