Image Credit: Concerned Citizens of District 1 / Facebook & Google Earth
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Soddy Daisy residents have expressed concern over the possibility of a portable concrete plant being allowed near a residential area.
Darrell Jones, who owns land at 2525 Igou Ferry Road, has applied for permission to have a portion of his land rezoned so he can use the site for a “portable cement plant and topsoil screening operation.”
The land is currently zoned for wholesale and light manufacturing. Jones would like to have the southern portion rezoned as a manufacturing district which would then allow for heavier industrial usage. The northern portion is currently being used as an RV park.
Surrounding the property to the north and west is property that is zoned for agriculture and single-residence use. To the south and west, the property is vacant or is used by the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant.
The planning commission staff recommended that Jones’ application be denied because the land is adjacent to an area that is residentially zoned, saying that rezoning could “cause nuisances to adjacent property.”
The planning commission, however, voted to allow for the rezoning, adding a condition that the concrete plant must be at least 500 feet away from the southern and western property lines. The topsoil screening may be placed anywhere on the property.
While some may argue that there are economic benefits to be gained from this new facility, others are concerned about the repercussions that could come along as well.
One concern is that the plant could potentially create health risks for Soddy Daisy residents. Commissioner Gene-o Shipley asked about the possibility of silica dust being harmful for neighboring Hunter Trace residents.
Jones responded that his facility would take precautions to prevent that from happening.
Additionally, residents have voiced concerns that this would set a negative precedent for Soddy Daisy, creating a route for other facilities to open without a land use plan. Increased traffic and improper land use could prove to be detrimental for the community.
The Hamilton County Commission will vote on the proposal Wednesday, July 31 at 9:00 am.
3 Responses
This is exactly why Zoning Laws were started. Without Zoning anything can be built near residential areas – concrete plants, meat packing plants, etc.
Zoning laws are fine, except when they are applied unfairly which seems to be pretty often in TN. I’ve observed decisions made because certain commissioners don’t like someone, or the request came from someone with deep pockets. Regardless, taxpayers lose because our money is used to defend indefensible, inept office holders/appointees & their decisions.
Ask to see the Enviromental Impact Report (EIR).
There should be one.
Also, if there is water nearby, the Army Corp of Engineers may be able to help.