Asphalt, Concrete Plant Raises Concerns, Leaders Will Tour Plant

Avon Lake City Council and Planning Commission members will be touring an asphalt plant on Friday with several city leaders some of who acknowledged they’ve received negative feedback on the idea of adding an asphalt and concrete plant on Moore Road near Pin Oak Parkway.

Peter Alex, the president of PMA Consulting in Brecksville, will be giving a tour to city leaders on Oct. 12.

Moore Road LLC owns the 76 acres between Webber Road and Pin Oak Parkway and Alex told planning commission June 5 he was considering building concrete and asphalt batch plants, as well as a landscaping-type business.

“There is nothing official,” City Engineer Joe Reitz, who said he is neutral on the concept, told council at the Oct. 9 city council meeting. “He asked Planning Commission about it.”

Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch, who sits on Planning Commission, said Alex came to the June meeting for brainstorming ideas.

Reitz said some Planning Commission members will tour the plant at Shelly Asphalt at W. 150th and I-480 on Friday to get an idea of how the plant operates and its history.

“It’s what a plant might look like; at this point it’s just a tour.”

Residents express concerns

Some members of the community, especially those who live near the proposed plant area, have given the concept of an asphalt plant a chilly reception.

In March, Mayor Greg Zilka said he received he received about a dozen “strongly worded” emails and letters from residents.

“There was a great deal of concern about odor, noise, dust… and impact on traffic,” Zilka, who will be participating in the tour, said.

Zilka also noted that the public will have numerous opportunities for the public to express concerns.  

“If this is ever moved forward, it would be done publicly…there would be plenty of opportunity for public input,” Zilka said. He noted the property owner had a right to submit a proposal. “It’s incumbent on us to look at all proposals for industrial development. I can assure you that this will be done in a public forum.”

Fenderbosch, who sit on the Planning Commission said Alex's consultants spoke noise and pollution during the Planning Commission meeting.

Fenderbosch asked about transporting product and potential pollution.

“He would bring it in from Miller (Road) on a railroad spur two-thirds of the way to bring product in,” Fenderbosch said.

She noted that the company would have to respond to more than 30 questions, primarily environmental impact questions, as required by city code.

“This is a closed loop process,” she said of the rock grinding involved in part of one of the proposed businesses. She noted that the company would be bringing in aggregate product, not material for grinding.

“There is no noise, no smell and no dust,” she said of the grinding process.

“They’re environmental impact questions; those are the issues that come up immediately in residents’ minds,” Fenderbosch said.

Alex also promised to pay for any road damage.

“That’s a first,” Fenderbosch said. “He wants to be a good neighbor.”

She added Reitz would be requesting information from the EPA to see if the existing plant in Cleveland has any violations.

Alex said there has been misinformation circulated.

“This is the latest and best technology,” Alex said. “There is absolutely no pollution. And it’s not  anywhere where it would affect anyone.”

The nearest home to the proposed business is 2,400 yards.

Alex also said it was too early to discuss any proposals.

It’s way to early to comment on anything,” Alex said. “The timeline is sometimes next year, if anything happens.”