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Commission holds Rock Hill Quarry concept after residents report structural damage and long complaints
Summary
After multiple residents told the commission they have experienced vibration, cracks and other damage they attribute to nearby quarry operations, Athens‑Clarke County commissioners held the Rock Hill Quarry preliminary concept for staff to consult state regulators and report back.
Athens‑Clarke County commissioners on Tuesday set aside the Rock Hill Quarry preliminary concept presentation and asked staff to pursue formal follow‑up with state regulators and to gather resident reports after extensive public testimony from neighbors who said repeated blasting and truck traffic have damaged homes.
Several speakers from East Athens told the commission that sidewalks, porches and driveways are cracking and that loud blasts have vibrated foundations and interrupted daily life. Shanice Allen said residents’ homes are in disrepair and urged the commission to prioritize their concerns; Laura Samrow described hearing “a loud sound like somebody hit a bomb” and said her 10‑year‑old home shows cracking she attributes to quarry activity. Other residents asked why the county’s response had been delayed.
Commission action and why it matters
- The commission moved to hold the Rock Hill Quarry concept item and asked staff to engage the state agency that regulates blasting and to compile a staff memo summarizing agency responses and the tally of resident complaints. Motion to hold was made and seconded; the motion carried.
- Commissioners said the county’s authority over blasting is limited and that formal engagement with the state regulator (which enforces blasting rules) is necessary before the commission makes policy or permitting decisions.
What residents asked for: Multiple speakers requested immediate county outreach and a clear accounting of how many residences have reported damage, whether any structural assessments had been done, and how the county will track and potentially mitigate damage. The commission asked staff and the county attorney to assemble a report and to return the item to the commission after agency engagement.
Next steps: Staff will provide a memo summarizing meetings with the state regulator and a compiled list of resident complaints and reported damage; the matter will return to the commission at the next cycle for further direction.
