City Commission Meeting: New Asphalt Plant in Millville?
Attendance at the March 1st City Commission Meeting
I attended last night's City Commission meeting. Folks came out in droves to comment on a proposed ordinance that would allow new asphalt production facilities to be built in an industrially zoned area. The city has an asphalt plant. The city permitted asphalt plants. As stated in the Daily Journal article of March 1st, the proposed ordnance would be more strict then current law.
Vice Mayor Joseph Derella, who also is a Planning Board member, said the city's land use regulations allowed asphalt plants until a few years ago. The pertinent regulation inadvertently was dropped during a reorganization of the city's codebook.
The proposed ordinance contains stricter regulations than the old ordinance had because it allows such plants only as a "conditional use" instead of a "permitted use," Derella said.
The difference is that, as a conditional use, city planners have more leeway in setting requirements for construction and operation.
Resident Speaks Against Plant
The city is considering allowing a new plan for these reasons why this proposed plant would be a positive. It is more than a half a mile away from any residential area. They cite a ratable – the land is currently at assessed at $3000 ($240,000) an acre (raw land) add development and the assessed value increases to a minimum of $20,000 p/acre ($1.6 million). The potential jobs (20 -25) available are union and pay well with benefits
.
Listening to the Opposition
Opponents cite the following for their opposition. The area is a nationally recognized wild and scenic river supporting numerous species. The EPA, the DEP, and OSHA have all determined that asphalt plants are among the worst polluters of clean air and water for people. They are high health risks for people as well-numerous carcinogens, toxic fumes. The site is near an elementary school, residential developments, and wildlife reserves. There are 2 in the county, and one is within a mile and a half of the proposed site. Why should people have to subject their health and the health of their children to not one, but two asphalt plants? Not to mention the fact studies that the average house value within a mile will be affected by 27%, with houses nearest affected at well over double that percentage.
Commissioner Jim Quinn publicly spoke against the proposed 75 foot buffer as too little. I would agree with that assessment. It was a civil meeting and we should learn the exact wording of the change of this ordnance. The Commission will meet March 15, a Tuesday night at 6:30
Below are videos of Renee Brecht and Commissioner Joe Derella.
1 comment:
You have a nice blog
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