Friday, June 04, 1999
Residents unsatisfied with mining company's reassurances
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — Zone change committee members fired questions at Martin Marietta Materials Inc. on Thursday night in hopes of seeking assurance that the mining company will be as good a neighbor as it has promised.
The zone change committee of the Boone County Planning Commission focused its questions on underground limestone mining operations and how they could affect the northwest section of the county that is adjacent to the proposed site.
The company has submitted three separate applications that would allow underground mining on 575 acres on the north side of Interstate 275 at the Petersburg Road interchange:
• The first application is to rezone the land from agricultural to industrial, which would allow underground limestone mining.
• The second request asks for a variance within the industrial zone that would allow a 1,500-foot setback from residential areas instead of 3,000 feet.
• The third proposal is a mixture of industrial and planned development.
While questions focused on dust, blasting and noise, the undertone of many of these inquiries was: How well does the mining company respond to these problems when the community complains?
“A lot of times you say, "We'll be there, we'll be there,' but you wait a week,” said committee member Don McMillian.
Bob Newman, a committee member, received a cheer from dozens of mining opponents in the audience when he requested that all the claims of homeowners who live near other mining sites owned by the company and the number of claims that were paid be submitted to the committee.
“I'm more concerned about cracks in foundations, cracks in cisterns and property damage, things an insurance company will not pay for,” he said.
Jeff Harris, president of the Ohio-Indiana division of Martin Marietta, assured the group that all complaints are responded to promptly. That role is handed to an on-site manager of the plant.
“That person, as part of the responsibility of his job, is to respond to individuals the same day they call,” he said.
Opponents of the mine said they were impressed with the number and detail of the questions asked, saying that they showed genuine concern for the residents who would be affected.
What they weren't satisfied with were the mining company's answers.
“I think the questions were good but I'm not sure they've been fully answered,” said Aimee Boese, a Petersburg resident who lives about 3 miles from the proposed mine. “I'm not sure they can be adequate ly answered in two two-hour meetings.
“Once it's in, it's too late.”
Mr. Harris said he expected critics' comments, but he thought many of the committee members' questions were excellent.
“We remain positive,” he said. “It's going to be a tough road, but we have an application that complies.”
The zone change committee will meet again at 5 p.m. June 10 on the second floor of the old courthouse to discuss traffic issues, the future land use map and the comprehensive plan. A vote is expected then.
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