Putnam County Stone LLC Slashes Proposed Quarry Size by 62%

Eatonton, Ga. (5/6/2026) — Putnam County Stone LLC announced it will cut its proposed granite quarry site down to roughly one-third of the original planned size to address concerns a larger rezoned tract could lead to secondary future development. Putnam County Stone will now ask for Industrial-Manufacturing rezoning for only 343 acres on Dennis Station Road, instead of the original 917.78 acres. This significantly reduced site plan sets aside 245 acres for quarry operations and 61 acres for the quarry pit, while dedicating 89 acres to an undisturbed buffer. The new plan moves the plant deeper inside the parcel and further away from neighbors, while the reduced pit size will allow the company to consolidate the previously planned four overburden piles into a single, smaller pile. Additionally, the quarry will be hidden behind several acres of forest on Dennis Station Road and out of sight – the adjacent tree line will remain, except for a clearing for the driveway into the site. “We never intended to develop anything other than a quarry, and a large tract left in its current Agricultural zoning provides a dense buffer,” said Hans Dawson, Putnam County Stone owner. “After conversations with the community, we have acknowledged their concerns in good faith by willingly compromising with this downsized site plan. We can be good neighbors and bring tremendous benefits and opportunities to the area with a much smaller quarry.”

Economic wins at a fraction of the footprint
Having a local quarry will provide a dependable source of construction-grade aggregates the county needs to build essential infrastructure, such as roads, schools, hospitals and homes. The closer the aggregates are to county projects, the less expensive they are. That creates meaningful cost savings for Putnam taxpayers. It will also boost the county’s economy by generating significant tax revenue and creating 211 upfront construction jobs and 88 permanent local, good-paying jobs.

Commitment to the environment
Putnam County Stone’s recalibrated site plan calls for expanded buffers that exceed all legal requirements and go well beyond the original site plan’s buffer zones. In another nod to locals’ concerns, the new plan restricts quarry operations to the smaller rezoned parcel and the remaining land will keep its Agricultural zoning and character. Furthermore, the entire property requested for rezoning rests safely outside the two-mile buffers for both Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, and the vast majority of the tract’s streams and wetlands are now outside of the plan footprint.

The right place for a quarry
To ensure the best outcome for the community, Putnam County Stone worked with Cranston Engineering to produce a Land Use Compatibility Report. The firm identifies the site as an "ideal location" for a granite quarry and crushed stone production, stating it represents “the highest and best use” of the tract and that potential impacts to the surrounding properties will be “neutral." Importantly, it confirms the quarry project fits the spirit, purpose and intent of the county’s Comprehensive Plan by promoting healthy economic growth. It also notes the quarry operations reflect a good balance between public health and land use while having minimal to no effect on public services. “We look forward to submitting our new site plan to the county and working with our neighbors to bring greater prosperity to the area,” Dawson said. “The smaller quarry will be a win-win for all.” For more information, visit www.putnamcountystone.com.