Quarry queries

The local stone quarry is hoping to expand its operation north of its current site.

Some local residents would prefer that it not be allowed to do so.

US Aggregates, during a Portland Plan Commission public hearing Thursday, presented information about the proposed expansion of its quarry to land that sits between county road 100 South (Seventh Street) and Tyson Road, just east of county road 200 West. More than a dozen area residents raised a variety of concerns both in person and via letters, saying they feel rezoning — the first step in the process — should not be approved.

The plan commission did not vote Thursday. Jay-Portland Building and Planning director John Hemmelgarn explained that he had expressed concerns about one of the four parcels, located north of Tyson Road, included in the rezoning request. US Aggregates, he said, has since decided to remove that parcel from its request, with a hearing on rezoning of the other three parcels likely to be scheduled for April.

US Aggregates representatives — president John Schmidt, director of sales Caleb Brown and area operations manager Eric Reynolds — presented the company’s plans, which would require rezoning of three parcels of land, the bulk of which sits between Tyson Road and county road 100 South, just east of county road 200 West. The parcels combine to cover about 115 acres.

The company’s intention, if the land is rezoned and other requirements are met, is to invest more than $10 million dollars in expanding the quarry over the next three to five years. They explained that the current quarry site has enough material to continue to operate for three to five years. They estimated the proposed expansion location would add another 30 years of operation.

The company’s representatives repeatedly emphasized that the quarry has done business in the community for about 50 years — it previously operated as Meshberger Brothers before being purchased by The Heritage Group, parent company of US Aggregates, in 2012 — and their feeling that they have been a good neighbor.

They noted the tens of thousands of tons of stone that Jay County Highway Department gets from the quarry each year and that if the quarry were to shut down, it would result in increased costs to truck in stone from other quarries for local projects.

US Aggregates officials emphasized to plan commission members Kyle Cook, Don Gillespie, Steve McIntosh, Lee Newman, Kent McClung, Janet Powers, Bart Darby and Ron Laux that they feel the company has been a good partner in the community and follows a variety of government regulations to make sure that the operation runs safely and does not damage nearby properties.

“It’s key that we do this in a responsible manner,” said Reynolds.

Before turning over the session for public comment, plan commission members raised several concerns, including noise, impact on wildlife, increased traffic (specifically in regard to nearby Jay County Junior-Senior High School), dust and the shift of the operation closer to the city.

The majority of the discussion with the plan commission focused on potential future plans to vacate a section of county road 100 South and constructing a new road to run north and intersect with Tyson Road. US Aggregates officials explained that such a request is only a potential future plan and the expansion of the quarry does not require such a change. (If such a change would be implemented, it would require a separate approval process.)

Concerns from members of the public, addressed in letters read by Hemmelgarn and in-person comments, echoed some of the concerns raised by plan commission members and generally focused on the following issues:

•Blasting — That the blasting required for mining the stone could lead to damage to homes and to underground sewer and natural gas lines. Also that it could occur at any time and disrupt life in the area.

•Traffic — That it would increase in the area, especially causing problems when traffic is already heavier at the beginning and end of the school day and during school events.

•Dust — That there would be excessive dust from blasting and crushing stone, potentially leading to health problems.

•Water quality — That the availability of water, via wells, and its quality would be negatively impacted by the presence of a mining operation.

•Property values — Residents indicated that they believe their property values will go down because of proximity to a stone quarry.

Other concerns mentioned included that such an operation would be an eyesore, have a negative impact on wildlife in the area and contribute to soil erosion.

The letters included one from Jay School Corporation superintendent Jeremy Gulley, who asked that any vote on the rezoning be delayed until there has been more time to review information about the proposal. Joe Acker, plant manager of Tyson Mexican Original in Portland, said the company would also like additional to determine its position on the project and that it has concerns about the impact dust could have on its filtration systems.

Kevin Inman, who lives nearby on Tyson Road, expressed trust in the plan commission to evaluate the proposal and make a good decision.

Having previously heard concerns from some residents, US Aggregates had already addressed some of them during its presentation.

On blasting, Reynolds noted that blasting occurs only two to three times a month, typically around noon. He said the company provides pre-blast notification for residents who request it. He added that blasts are regulated by the U.S. Bureau of Mines sets regulations for vibrations per square inch and that Indiana’s restrictions are even more strict.

Addressing traffic, Reynolds indicated that US Aggregates does not plan to use Indiana 67 or Tyson Road. Rather, it is hoping to rehabilitate a county road 200 West bridge over the Salamonie River that is now closed. The bridge would provide direct access from the proposed new quarry site to its current location.

Reynolds added that mining operations are regulated by various federal and state agencies regarding water, air and dust. He answered the aesthetics concern by pointing out that an earthen berm a minimum of 100 feet wide would be built around the new quarry site.

In addition to the concerns about the quarry itself, several of those in attendance were unhappy that they had not been notified of the potential project.

Addressing that concern, Hemmelgarn noted that the building and planning department — not the company — is required by state statute to send notices to adjoining property owners.

Newman called the meeting to a close after two hours of presentation and questions. He suggested that US Aggregates address the concerns raised at Thursday’s meeting via public forums and other outreach. (The Commercial Review plans to set up a meeting with representatives of the company to discuss the various issues that were brought up at the meeting.) U.S. Aggregates has also scheduled a presentation for March 2 — the location has yet to be finalized — for the firm that handles its blasting to explain its process and answer questions.

The rezoning request is just the first step in the process toward potentially allowing a mining operation on the land in question. If plan commission approves the rezoning, it would then need to also be approved by Portland City Council. US Aggregates would then need to seek a special exception for mining through the city’s board of zoning appeals.

Also Thursday, the board re-elected Newman as its president, Darby as its vice president and McClung as its secretary. The board appointed Pati McLaughlin as its recording secretary and Bill Hinkle as its legal counsel. It named Laux as its representative on Jay County Plan Commission.