Judge Upholds Planning Commission's Ruling Against Water Bottling in Middleway
BREAKING: Sidewinder Enterprises has petition denied in Circuit Court, a win for the Jefferson County Planning Commission
The Spirit of Jefferson | Monday, November 10, 2025
In a significant ruling for regional planning, Judge Bridget Cohee denied Sidewinder Enterprises' petition to build a water bottling facility in Middleway, aligning with the Jefferson County Planning Commission's earlier rejection. Concerns highlighted included potential heavy traffic impacts on historic properties and the risk of jeopardizing unmarked Civil War-era graves. Furthermore, the proposed extraction of over 1 million gallons of groundwater daily was deemed likely to negatively affect the local water table, creating challenges for surrounding residents. This decision follows a recent vote from the planning commission to deny a settlement attempt, bringing relief to many community members present during the court proceedings, as noted by planning commissioner Cara Keys in her comments supporting the decision.
