SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — A spokesman for residents opposing Rivian's planned production facility termed as "hogwash" a developer's assertion it has "continued to listen and engage in dialogue with the public" in planning for the project.

Chas Moore also called efforts to cull public favor so far as a “circus” and criticized comments in a Joint Development Authority (JDA) news release announcing it planned to ask Social Circle and Morgan County officials to delay action on all zoning matters pertaining to the project this week.

In a statement released Friday, the JDA said it and Rivian "have continued to listen and engage in dialogue with the public over the last several weeks regarding how best to plan for the proposed electric vehicle assembly facility."

Preliminary plans — which JDA officials have noted was subject to charge — show the proposed 16-million-square-foot industrial complex is planned on a 2,000-acre site bordering northeast Newton County and straddling the line between Walton and Morgan counties.

"With an economic development opportunity of this size and scope, it is critical that we work together to ensure that the public’s input is properly incorporated into plans,” JDA officials said.

"Thank you for participation in this public process and we look forward to a thoughtful, civil dialogue in (the) weeks ahead."

Moore represents the group Our Communities Oppose Rivian Assembly Plant, which has questioned Rivian and JDA efforts to meet zoning and environmental requirements.

He disputed any JDA and Rivian claims about willingly seeking public input.

"They have not made the first effort to contact and have dialogue with us," Moore said.

"We have forced it through litigation efforts," Moore said. "This is delayed because Our Communities with (attorneys) Stack & Associates forced it."

The Social Circle meeting was set for Tuesday, Feb. 22, and the Morgan County meeting was scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 24.

JDA officials said in the news release the delays were needed to address concerns raised by planners with two local governments in whose jurisdictions electric vehicle maker Rivian is planning a second U.S. production facility.

The JDA recognized "this project is unprecedented for our community, as well as the state, and there are unique issues that are associated with it,” the release stated.

"As a result, our legal, environmental, and planning experts are thoroughly evaluating issues raised by both the public and the recent reports from the city of Social Circle and Morgan County Planning and Development. We have been assessing how to fairly address these questions in our planning process.”

It said some areas of both reports “have merit” but the Morgan County Planning and Development report includes some “incorrect zoning conditions and inaccuracies that we believe invite inconsistency of decision-making.”

It gave one example as what it said was the report’s inaccurate assessment of the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission’s (NEGRC) Developments of Regional Impact (DRI) “Final Report.”

JDA officials said a NEGRC press release stated that DRI reviews often occur very early in project development “which was the case with our project.”

“The proposal’s details and designs were still in-process when submitted for a DRI Review. It is not uncommon for a project to undergo design changes after a DRI Review has already been performed and, if necessary, resubmitted.

"It is also incorrect that a DRI report must be completed before a Planning Commission vote. That rule applies to the City Council only."

The NEGRC press release also said: “…a number of environmental, traffic and other studies and analyses are currently underway, which is common for projects undergoing DRI Reviews. It is fully anticipated that the proposal will be adjusted, as appropriate, to address any findings and mitigating effects.

"Due to the heightened interest in this specific Final Report, the NEGRC will issue an amended report once new information becomes available, to accurately capture the proposed project’s evolution,” JDA officials noted.

The JDA also said "comments about a lack of information related to environmental issues simply means those studies were not available or complete at the time — this does not mean there will be problems.”

"We are confident we can reach a mutually beneficial outcome for all parties; however, we believe the areas mentioned above in the Morgan County Planning and Development report require additional clarification and review.

"Progress has been made with respect to the completion of assessments, plans and supporting materials including a groundwater recharge plan, independent groundwater assessment, site plan, and over three dozen letters of support.

"We believe all these materials, and additional reports and studies that are in process, will help clarify many issues for the public and relevant planning commissions.

"Regarding traffic impacts, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has administered a traffic study to evaluate traffic impacts and planned improvements. That study will be made public once GDOT has completed it."

But Moore said the JDA's release is "full of untruths and I use that word so that they do not sue me for slander."

He said the JDA only requested the delay as a response to the group’s attorneys’ requests that it be delayed or denied because the JDA’s applications were incomplete.

"These people thought they could come in here with their circus,” Moore said. 

“They had no idea how incredibly talented Our Communities are and that we do not want them as neighbors bleeding the Georgia taxpayers and local citizens dry like vampires invading in the dark of night."