Bradley County approves sewer-easement resolution with contingency and Dec. 15 review amid developer warnings

The Bradley County Commission on Monday approved a resolution authorizing a utility easement across county-owned property but added contingency language and a date-certain check-in after residents and the project’s developer warned delays could threaten the deal.

The commission granted the mayor authority to sign the easement "contingent and only upon satisfactory resolution of all notice and or legal requirements related to the landfill operation agreement with SanTech," a provision the mayor said would prevent execution until Republic SanTech’s concerns were addressed.

The matter drew extended public comment from Bill Sanders, who identified himself during the meeting and said developers had already spent money on pre-construction work. "We've got to start tomorrow if we're gonna make the closing deadline for the contract," Sanders said, warning that further delay "is killing us" and that postponement could imperil a multi-million-dollar development and sunk engineering costs.

County staff and legal counsel explained the need to follow the contract language governing encumbrances of the landfill property. They said the lease contains provisions requiring notice and a satisfactory response from Republic SanTech before the county may grant easements that could be treated as encumbrances under the contractor’s agreement.

Commissioners debated adding a firm follow-up date; a substitute motion was approved to require the county provide an update at the Dec. 15 voting session if the document had not been signed. Commissioner Blake, arguing for pressure to produce a timely response, said, "If we don't hear from you by January 1, we're gonna assume that you're okay with it," language the commission elected not to adopt verbatim but used as part of the discussion about timelines.

Mayor Crystal (addressed in the meeting as the mayor) clarified the practical effect of the commission's action: "You're approving authorizing me to sign it, and my signing it is contingent upon getting that back from Republic," she said, indicating the county would not execute the easement until satisfied that Republic had received notice and had the opportunity to respond.

The resolution identifies the affected county parcels (map and parcel number 055007 and properties at 752 Pleasant Grove Road SW and 282 Plainfield Road SW). The commission approved the revised motion by roll call, 13 in favor, none opposed and one absent.

The commission asked staff to continue communications with Republic SanTech and to report back on Dec. 15; if the document remained unsigned then, commissioners said they could take additional action at that session.