Lee authority approves development sewer lines

LEESBURG, Ga. — The Lee County Utilities Authority approved disputed sewer lines and existing water lines located within the 620-acre McIntosh Farms, Section One development at a special called meeting on Thursday.

The authority had held up approval of the development when a report by its engineer indicated sagging in sewer lines posed a potential waste disposal problem. Developer George McIntosh had contended that his engineer’s report indicated there were no problems with the sewer lines.

“Upon my recommendation and the recommendation of (Authority Attorney) Jimmy Skipper, the Utilities Authority has approved sewer and water lines in the McIntosh Farms, Section One development,” Authority General Manager Chris Boswell said. “With approval of a $75,000 irrevocable letter of credit from Colony Bank, the developer has met the requirements of the Utilities Authority.

“Since there were questions about the grade of the sewer lines’ downhill flow, the authority wanted to make sure funds were available if there were problems.”

Boswell said McIntosh had signed a letter that included a list of conditions that he would have to meet before the Utilities Authority gave approval to the sewer lines. The stipulations of that letter include:

— The reconstruction and reinstallation of manhole SB-5 at the end of the development’s Belmont Drive;

— A maintenance bond that will remain in effect for five years;

— A $25,000 increase in the amount of the maintenance bond to $75,000;

— Understanding that the failure to reconstruct the manhole at SB-5 adequately will lead to the revocation of the permit;

— Agreement to flush the development’s sewer lines once per quarter for a calendar year starting in 2012;

— Understanding that the authority can require semi-annual cleanings of the sewer lines;

— His signature on the letter.

McIntosh, one of the first developers to build in the county and the builder behind some of its most well-known developments, said he was pressured into signing the letter.

“If I hadn’t signed the letter, they could have tied me up for months,” he said after the meeting. “They really pushed me into it; it’s a very one-sided settlement.

“I will go before the County Commission for a special meeting (today), and hopefully we’ll get this thing settled so we can move on. We’ve been going around and around with this for too long.”

Quit-claim deeds that McIntosh said had been approved and filed by the county will be the basis for today’s special called meeting.

Boswell, meanwhile, said the Utilities Authority’s dealings with McIntosh were “not personal.”

“We have a responsibility to do what’s in the best interest of the citizens of this county,” the authority general manager said. “I stand behind what the authority, what Mr. Skipper and what the County Commission have done in this matter.”