The Oconee Board of Commissioners will meet Monday evening to discuss a proposed amendment to the Unified Development Code banning slab construction in Oconee County. According to the proposed change, all new single-family detached homes must be constructed with either crawlspace or basement foundations.

If passed, the new building ordinance will affect current and future residents of Oconee County, as well as builders, contractors, material suppliers and others involved in the residential construction and real estate industry as it will prohibit property owners from building a slab home.

The building amendment states, “raised slab foundations [will be] allowed as a condition of zoning for age-restricted, active-adult dwellings (55+) provided that the slab shall be a minimum of 2 feet above the finished grade,” all but eliminating zero-entry homes.

The 2-feet height requirement would impact many wheelchair-dependent residents if not physically, then financially to install appropriate accommodations such as ramp accesses.

In general, basement and crawl space construction add thousands of dollars to the price of a new-construction home, as well as increase the potential for humidity problems and other environmental consequences. Interested homebuyers looking to move or retire may opt for an area with more affordable, energy-efficient, slab option homes.

Those interested in joining the conversation related to the proposed amendment banning slab construction in Oconee County may join the Oconee County Planning Commission at its meeting on Monday, March 19, 2018, at 7 p.m. at the Oconee County Courthouse located at 23 North Main Street in Watkinsville, Ga.