Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Viridi Special Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public hearing on Viridi RE special-use application draws riverkeeper concerns; hearing continued to Oct. 15
Summary
The Heard County Board of Commissioners heard hours of testimony Sept. 17 on a special-use application from Viridi RE Development LLC. Residents and the Chattahoochee River Keepers raised environmental concerns; the board voted unanimously to continue the public hearing and defer a final decision to Oct. 15, 2024.
The Heard County Board of Commissioners spent significant time Sept. 17 hearing public testimony and questions on a special-use application from Viridi RE Development LLC and voted to continue the hearing to the board's Oct. 15, 2024 meeting.
Attorney Ellen Smith spoke for Viridi RE Development LLC and answered commissioners' questions about corporate structure and compliance. Commissioner Larry Hammond pressed the applicants on project details, and Commissioner James Perry asked about the number of corporations associated with Ms. Latre, one of the applicants. County Attorney Michael Hill asked whether the applicants had filed a Beneficial Owners Information Report; Ms. Smith said the applicants were unsure and would "check with their C.P.A." before the next meeting.
Commissioner Iris Harris asked specifically about herbicide use, projected revenue and any existing contracts tied to the proposal. Henry Jacobs, deputy director of the Chattahoochee River Keepers, told the board he was concerned about potential impacts to the Chattahoochee River from the proposed project, citing environmental risk as a principal issue raised by opponents.
Several community members spoke both for and against the application. Supporters included Debra Jo Steele, Amy Tipton and non-resident Tyler Bius. Opponents who addressed the board included Mark Callahan, Eric Larson, Alton Hudgins, Diane Dunlap, Tiffany Powers and Spencer Barronton; their remarks were summarized by the board as raising local-impact and environmental concerns.
After hearing presentations, questions and public comment, the board — on a motion by Commissioner Larry Hammond and a second by Commissioner James Perry — voted to continue the public hearing and defer a decision on the special-use application to the Oct. 15, 2024, 6:30 p.m. regular meeting.
The continuation gives applicants time to confirm corporate filings and provide additional information requested by commissioners and members of the public. The board did not take a final vote on the application on Sept. 17.
