COVINGTON, Ga. - Philip A. Johnson, an attorney representing Guardian Angel Assisted Living and Memory Care, LLC, withdrew the assisted living facility’s application to relocate a cemetery within the City of Covington April 6.

This notice came three days after the Covington City Council denied the application during its regular meeting April 3. According to City Attorney Frank Turner, the city had 30 days to provide a written reason for its denial, but since the application has been withdrawn, the city no longer has to issue the written reasons.

The application was initially filed by Robert S. (Steve) Webb on March 3. Webb, president and senior principal archeologist for R.S. Webb & Associates, said he believes the cemetery contains the remains of slaves.

The city approved its first cemetery relocation in December of last year. The approval was based on the assumption of about a dozen graves being in the Industrial Park Boulevard location. However, once the relocation was approved and started, a total of 75 graves were found and therefore relocated.

Webb, whose company worked the first relocation, said situations like that are extremely rare. He estimates at least 14 graves in the current cemetery.

Rohim Patel, of Guardian Angel Assisted Living and Memory Care, told The Covington News April 3 he planned on reapplying for the cemetery relocation. The development is at a complete standstill until it is approved, he said.