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Cherokee County delays downtown Canton land purchase after environmental findings; Phase II study proposed
Summary
The county postponed a planned vote on acquiring 4.63 acres in downtown Canton after a Phase I review flagged recognized environmental conditions; staff recommended a Phase II site assessment contingent on closing and said the report would support a brownfields submission to Georgia EPD.
Cherokee County officials postponed action on a proposed purchase of 4.63 acres in downtown Canton after a Phase I environmental review identified potential contamination and staff requested time to complete further testing.
County staff told the board the full purchase price is listed at $5,412,630 or, alternatively, a net price of $4,912,630 after a proposed $500,000 donation toward improvements at Badger Creek Park. The board chose to delay a final vote until its April 21 meeting because a survey of the property had not been returned.
The county manager said NOVA Engineering’s earlier Phase I assessment identified “recognized environmental conditions,” including evidence of groundwater contamination potentially related to an adjacent historic Canton Cleaners site and past on-site or nearby auto-repair operations and underground storage tanks. The manager asked the board to approve a limited Phase II site assessment with NOVA, at a cost of $25,850, to be performed once the county closes on the purchase.
“If the Phase II confirms contamination, the county can submit the property to the Georgia EPD for brownfields protections,” staff said, noting the Phase II work would clarify liabilities and support redevelopment planning.
The proposed Phase II would include soil and groundwater testing to further define the scope of contamination and guide remediation needs. The county emphasized the Phase II approval should be contingent on closing the sale so that the work proceeds only if the acquisition completes.
The board did not vote on the purchase or the Phase II authorization at the work session; staff will return with the survey results and the proposed Phase II agreement on April 21.
What’s next: The county will receive and review the pending property survey and then consider the Phase II task order and any related contract awards at its April 21 meeting. If testing identifies contamination, staff said it will pursue brownfields designation with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to limit future liability while supporting redevelopment.
