A Putnam County landowner says a letter submitted to Putnam County Planning and Development in support of the proposed rock quarry alongside Dennis Station Road incorrectly suggests that part of his property could become industrial land, a claim he strongly disputes.
Mark Thompson, who owns approximately 950 acres of mostly undeveloped land off Dennis Station Road, said he was surprised to see a 209-acre tract specifically described in a Feb. 27 letter sent to the Putnam County Planning and Zoning Commission. It was sent from the office of Greensboro-based attorney Jay Dell, who represents ownership tied to the quarry proposal.
Thompson declined to name, however, who initially shared the letter with him.
Regardless, the acreage mentioned closely matches a 209-acre parcel Thompson owns beside lumber processor Interfor. The letter suggests the parcel is “projected to be Industrial” and could increase Interfor’s land footprint to 304 acres.
“I own 209-point-something acres right there,” Thompson said. “It’s close enough that it’s clearly talking about my land.”
However, he added, he’s never discussed selling the property to Interfor, or to anyone else.
Thompson insisted he has no intention of changing the status of his acreage.
“It’s zoned Ag and on land conservation, and it’s going to stay that way,” he declared.
Thompson said he attempted to contact Dell, whose signature is affixed to the letter, but received no response. So, immediately after the March 5 Putnam County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting earlier this month — when the quarry rezoning request was tabled — he approached Dell directly, leading to his image being published in last week’s edition of The Eatonton Messenger.
“I told him, ‘That land you’re describing is my land,’” Thompson said. “And he goes, ‘I don’t know anything about it.’ But that’s just not true and I got a little mad about it.”
Thompson said the situation raised concerns for him about how the proposal is being presented to county officials and the public. He also complained to P&Z Commission Chairman Charles Gray that night, who cast the tie-breaking vote that allowed a continuance of the quarry rezoning meeting to July 2.
“I’m pushing back to show what I think is dishonesty,” Thompson said.
Beyond the dispute over the letter, Thompson said he opposes the quarry because of what it could mean for the area's rural character near Lake Sinclair.
Thompson said he initially bought land in Putnam County about 35 years ago and gradually expanded his holdings piece by piece. He and his family originally used their land for hunting before eventually moving to the area within the last decade.
“I was trying to start a legacy,” Thompson said. “I’ve already given my daughter and my son some land. They built houses and now live there. I’ve got my grandbabies there now.”
He said he hopes the land he’s purchased will remain with his family for generations to come.
“That’s what I want to leave to them,” he said.
Now, however, Thompson worries that the quarry could have long-term, negative economic impacts not only for him but for many nearby landowners.
“If property values tank, people with larger tracts might not be able to afford the taxes,” he said.
“Then they’ll have to sell it, industry will take over, and there won’t be any handing it down to their families. That’ll all be gone forever, and I don’t want no part of that.”