TMP Reports
Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 3:16 pm

Rutherford County government will pay $3,189.21 for depositions in the lawsuit filed against it by property owners of 240 acres of land sought for Bible Park USA.

Owner Carol Shelton and family filed a lawsuit against Rutherford County challenging the county’s denial of a rezoning request by BPU Holdings, LLC for the development of Bible Park USA. The Shelton family owns the majority of the 240 acres optioned by BPU Holdings.

In their lawsuit against Rutherford County, the Sheltons claim petitions in opposition to the park from surrounding landowners was invalid and that County Attorney Jim Cope overstepped the bounds of his job by ruling the petitions valid.

Chancellor Robert Corlew agreed and sent the decision back to the Rutherford County commission to decide whether a supermajority vote was required.

County commissioners are scheduled to meet with Cope in executive session Thursday before their monthly meeting to discuss Corlew’s decision. Cope is expected to report about the executive session in the following open meeting.

In the order, attorneys representing the Sheltons and Rutherford County agreed the Sheltons should be reimbursed the cost for the depositions. Corlew signed the order Friday.