Oconee County Asked, And Judge Agreed, To Vacate Order Against Oconee Waste Transport

Oconee County officials have agreed to allow Oconee Waste Transport to continue to operate, at least in the short term, at its site on SR 15 south of Watkinsville during hours that Magistrate Court Judge Eric W. Norris found last October to be in violation of the county zoning ordinance.

OWT had indicated that it intended to appeal Norris’ ruling, but the county joined with OWT in asking Norris three weeks after he issued his ruling to reconsider and vacate it.

Norris agreed to that request the same day it was made, pending notification by either the county or OWT that it should be re-entered.

County Attorney Daniel Haygood told me on Monday of last week that he had agreed to make the request of Norris because of the costs of an appeal, because nearby residents have stopped complaining, and because the county is revisiting the issues of operating hours for businesses.

For details on the story, go to Oconee County Observations.