Houston County Approves Mine Project

PERRY, Ga. -- Houston County Commissioners have approved a mining operation south of Perry, with conditions.

By a unanimous vote, the five-member board backed a zoning change for the Georgia Limerock Co. off Highway 341, the Golden Isles Parkway. The project still needs permits from state environmental agencies.

The company would set up on the 854 acres at the corner of Plant Road and Larry Walker Parkway, also known as Georgia Highway 224. The re-zoning changes the land from residential agricultural to general industrial.

Dozens of neighbors have turned out to previous meetings to oppose the mining project. They say it would cause noise, dust, traffic and water pollution.

Tim Andrews, county zoning administrator, says the board attached these conditions.

The company must sign an agreement to improve Plant Road to meet county regulations or provide direct access from their site to Highway 341. Andrews says the road may not be structurally sound to handle heavy truck traffic.

They must create a 300-foot buffer against residential areas and plant trees. And they must build a new storm water system designed to withstand the type of storm that would happen once every 50 years.

Andrews says company officials said Tuesday's vote is just the "first hurdle.