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Tennessee town residents at war with developers over proposition to build quarry
A proposed rock quarry in the town of Greenback, Tennessee has caused a feud between the town and developers.
The town of Greenback and the Loudon County Regional Planning Commission are locked in a legal battle with M&M Stone Farms and Tri-County Crushed Stone, companies set their sights on a 236-acre plot along Hutton Road in March 2023 to establish a limestone quarry.
The biggest issue is zoning. The town of Greenback maintains that the property falls under a M1 light industrial designation, prohibiting mining activities like quarrying.
M&M and Tri-County, led by president Rodney Murphey, however, argue they were never informed of this zoning and believe the land is suitable for a quarry. They also claim that the property they want to use is close to a property owned by the town's mayor.
Both companies claim the town failed to provide them with 'constitutionally required notice and an opportunity to be heard' when the zoning was implemented.
A rock quarry proposal in Greenback, Tennessee has sparked a legal dispute
Joy LaForce (pictured), a local resident, said the construction is already impacting her home
In an email to local NBC affiliate WBIR, Murphy shared the following statement.
'It is really disappointing that the Mayor didn't even tell me about the zoning after I had been generous enough to come to a Town meeting at his request to explain my plans for the quarry. You would have thought he would have the common decency at least to tell me about the meeting. But I guess we'll have to let a judge settle it now.'
Neighbors, upset over the possible quarry, have come together to raise awareness to the project. Joy LaForce, a local resident, said the construction is already impacting her home.
'They're ruining our peacefulness that we used to have here in Greenback,' LaForce, told WBIR.
'Can you imagine laying by a pool listening to that in your retirement?'
Another neighbor - Stacy Oneil - said, 'I don't want to see Greenback destroyed and I feel that if we don't have people behind us, that's what we're gonna see.'
The countersuit filed in May 2024 by M&M and Tri-County details their efforts to be transparent with the community and seeks to have the ordinance declared null and void
To save face, Murphy attended a town meeting in April 2023 and assured residents of their intention to operate within all regulations.
Additionally, the countersuit points out the property had existed for 25 years within Greenback's limits without facing zoning restrictions.
However, public opposition to the quarry arose, prompting the town to initiate a rezoning process in December 2023.
M&M and Tri-County allege they were completely unaware of this process and never received official notification. The countersuit claims the town also failed to notify the public of the rezoning's approval.
The companies argue they were unaware of the zoning and are suing to allow the quarry
Greenback is countersuing to block development, claiming the zoning protects the town. The court will decide the future of the project.
The lawsuit from Greenback seeks to prevent the companies from moving forward with the quarry, while M&M and Tri-County's countersuit demands permission for both agricultural and quarrying uses on the property.
They also want to prevent the town from interfering with their development plans.
The upcoming court battle will determine the fate of the quarry and its potential impact on the future of the town.
A website dedicated to the opposition of the quarry lays out all of the reasons residents should be upset over the quarry, notably air pollution, traffic disruption, water contamination, and a threat to groundwater.