County Planning Director Chris White has recently been called on the carpet by residents for approving an agricultural zoning application for Hawkins and Price LLC., off 64 East and Fairfield Pike. But White did his due diligence right after the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) voted 4:1 last Thursday to overturn his original decision.
He told BZA members and those in attendance last Thursday that when someone files such an application, it isn’t always known immediately the purposeful intent of the applicant.
A letter dated Sept. 18, 2026, from the County/ White to Hawkins and Price attorney Josh Denton formally explained the BZA’s recent ruling. He explained that due to the BZA’s vote on Sept. 17, to overturn his former decision, now the Hawkins operation is being considered quarry or mining. He stated neither property classified as such.
“Effective upon this notice, all mining, quarrying, excavation, material removed and all related activities associated with these operations shall cease,” White stated in the letter.
He advised the group to seek assistance from the planning and zoning department if there are any further questions.
So, will Hawkins and Price seek their own relief from the BZA decision? The group has told the T-G there is no comment at this time, upon advisement of their legal counsel.
The BZA agenda item of Sept. 17, was brought forth by Jason Holleman, on behalf of 2536 Fairfield Pike residents Jonathan and Jeanie O’Neal and other affected property owners. Neighbors attending the meeting last week were seeking classification review of the use of the properties.
Many neighbors came forth to tell the board that the operation is destroying their home life. The people have stated they’re not “against quarries,” per se, but they believe this operation, in current location, is a quarry and not a " farm pond" as their application stated. Some property owners told BZA that the operation is damaging property values as they speak.

The BZA vote came down to either agreeing with White on the agriculture usage or with the courtroom full of neighbors who voiced how the property is being used for commercial purposes, i.e., namely, a rock quarry.
Hawkins and Price attorneys said in the BZA meeting that the ponds in question, a family venture, were intended to be used to water cattle. They pointed out the drought this summer as an example of the need.
See the full BZA meeting story from Sept. 17, in our print edition today, Thursday, Sept. 24, and our E-Edition online now.
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