As promised, after DeKalb County denied the move of Greenco’s controversial composting operation from Lamar County to a rock quarry there, Judge Tommy Wilson barred the company from operating here. The move came March 27 as Judge Wilson ordered it permanently shut down and padlocked as of 8 p.m. May 11. That is none too soon for neighbors of the noisome business, which contracted to bring in food and other wastes from neighboring counties and turn them into compost. The matter first came before court for a status conference on Nov. 10, 2010, and the court entered an amended order on Jan. 31, 2011, saying Greenco would cease and desist operations here and relocate elsewhere by Nov. 11, 2011. The amended order noted if Greenco failed to relocate its facility, the court would immediately issue a permanent injunction shutting it down. Greenco agreed and began working to find another site. On Oct. 18, 2011, this matter again came before the court for a status conference. Greenco said it was unable to meet the Nov. 11 deadline to relocate its operation and requested an extension. The court granted it provided an agreement was reached between Lamar County commissioners and Greenco on terms. On Nov. 14, 2011, the parties signed a consent order in which Greenco was granted an extension to relocate its operation in return for financial considerations and restrictions on operations. This included a cash deposit to the county of $15,000 in two payments before Jan. 11 to be held in escrow until expiration of the extended deadline. If Greenco complied with terms and conditions, the money would be returned. If not, it would go for attorney’s fees and Lamar’s expense to remediate the property. Judge Wilson found Greenco failed to make the escrow payment, much less get its rezoning and permits in DeKalb County for relocation of its facility. The DeKalb County planning commission recommended its disapproval and Greenco withdrew its permit applications there after hearing the Atlanta Regional Commission wished to review its plans.
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