County conservation sets public hearing date

Union County Conservation Board scheduled a public hearing Aug. 6, during the board’s regularly scheduled meeting, for the two, new housekeeping cabins planned for Three Mile Lake. The board met Friday.

The Aug. 6. meeting will begin at 5 p.m. Director Doug Jones said the plan is to begin taking bids for the two housekeeping cabins planned to be built near the campground.

The cabins will be funded by $720,000 of the county’s American Rescue funds provided by the federal government during the COVID pandemic to make up for lost revenue. Union County received about $2.37 million. The cabin proposal has since received $50,000 from other sources. Bid information for construction of the cabins will be available this week. Bids will be taken through Aug. 15.

Each of the cabins are planned to be three bedrooms, one bathroom with a loft. The loft will be open space allowing additional sleeping area. The cabins will measure about 28 feet by 44 feet plus an 8-feet covered porch at the entrance. The cabins will be handicap accessible and have full kitchen and laundry services. Two of the three bedrooms will hold three people. Each cabin will have water and sewer.

The cabins, which will be neighbors, will be near the water, with a floating dock provided for each one. Power to charge boat batteries will be installed. There will not be a boat ramp at the cabins. Jones has said knowing how the water level at Three Mile fluctuates, if water levels reach the top of the dam the cabins will still be dry.

The intent is for the cabins to not have traffic from the campsites. Traffic from the campground to the cabins will be intended only for those who are using the cabins.

Union County Board of Supervisors approved spending $720,000 of the county’s American Rescue Plan funds for the two housekeeping cabins. All of the county’s funds must be spent by 2026.

Board member Shon Berry was not in attendance.