BROOKSVILLE — A concrete batch plant proposed on the Hernando-Pasco county line advanced June 8, when the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval over the objections of nearby residents who warned of traffic, pollution and health risks.
Growth in the fast-developing eastern part of the county is often a touchy subject, and the request drew a crowd of opponents to the commission meeting.
The applicant, Williams Realty and Investments Inc., sought to rezone 38.8 acres from agricultural to Planned Development Project (General Commercial) with specific C-4 uses, which would allow a concrete batch plant on the site of a former sand mine.
The property sits on the north side of Power Line Road, near Lockhart Road. The plant would operate Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and employ 30 to 50 people. All operations and parking would be confined to about 5 acres in the northwest portion of the site.
The commission had postponed the request May 11 in a 3-0 vote.
Every resident who spoke June 8 opposed the project, and three submitted letters to the commission. In her letter, Rachel Aguilar described the health risks she said poor air quality near the plant would pose to her children, who play outside — especially a daughter with a congenital heart defect. She also cited road damage from heavy trucks, along with noise and light pollution. Other residents echoed those concerns.
Commissioner Mike Fulford questioned the deviations in buffers and opacity the applicant sought, an issue he also raised on other requests that day.
Darryl Johnson, an attorney for the applicant, said the local economy needs another concrete batch plant and that this one would be small and generate little traffic. Much of the residents’ testimony, he said, came from a “layman’s” point of view. Johnson said dust would be limited because losing material into the air would be inefficient for the plant’s operation. He added that the facility would create jobs.
After a lengthy debate, the commission attached several conditions and voted 5-0 to recommend approval.
During a recess, Aguilar confronted Johnson outside the chambers, tearfully objecting to being called a “layman” and insisting the plant would endanger her children’s health.
More growth
The commission also took up several other items.
A master plan revision for a parcel zoned Planned Development Project (General Commercial) with limited C-2 uses, at the corner of Commercial Way and Hexam Road, passed 4-1.
The panel voted 5-0 to approve a master plan revision for property zoned Planned Development Project (Industrial) on the east side of Kettering Road, about 1,332 feet south of Cortez Boulevard. The applicant sought to raise the maximum building height from 60 to 85 feet to accommodate distribution-center technology that requires taller ceilings for automated equipment.
Residents objected to a rezoning request — from C-1 (General Commercial) to Planned Development Project (General Commercial) with a specific C-2 use for outdoor storage — at the northwest corner of Citrus Way and Centralia Road. The petitioner proposed a secured outdoor storage facility. Neighbors raised concerns about road conditions, traffic, intensity and property values. The commission approved it 5-0.
The next Planning and Zoning meeting is set for July 13.