Bryan County Commission Denies Zoning Change for Landfill

"No landfill in Bryan County" was the message citizens had been sending to county leaders for months, and in the end their voices prevailed.

Atlantic Waste Services wants to build a 268 acre landfill on a more than 1,100 acre property that borders I-16 and Olive Branch Road in the northern part of the county.

Current county zoning does not allow a landfill to be built on a county road, so the company has requested a text amendment to allow construction and to clarify other aspects of the county ordinance regarding issues like the distance of the landfill from water sources.

"They need to come in line with what we feel is a more acceptable ordinance, not just for us, but for every other player out there that would like to do any type of economic development in Bryan County," said Darden Copeland of Atlantic Waste Services Community Relations.

Many neighbors who live nearby opposed the proposal because of water, traffic and environmental concerns. The Ogeechee Riverkeeper also objected because of its proximity to Black Creek.

On Tuesday, more than a hundred people showed up for the Bryan County Commission meeting in Richmond Hill, where the commission was set to vote on the request.

While a handful of supporters stood silently in the crowd, the company asked the commission to approve changes to the zoning ordinances.

Pastor Clint Sullens of Olive Branch Baptist Church told the commission there shouldn't be a landfill behind his church, which was established more than 100 years ago.

County staff also recommended against the proposal.

After listening to both sides, Commissioner Carter Infinger motioned to deny, and the commission voted 4-0 to approve the motion. 

"I'm glad the county had the guts and the wherewithal to stand up to the pressure they were getting from Atlantic Waste and just do what was right," said Don Stack, an attorney for the citizens opposing the landfill.

"We're just very thankful that our commissioners represented those who have elected them," said Sullens.

Atlantic Waste officials said they're disappointed, but may challenge the decision.

"We obviously feel like our arguments have merit in terms of the constitutionality in the way the ordinances are written," said Copeland.

Copeland said the company will decide within the next 30 days whether they'll file a court appeal to the commission's decision.