Commissioners approve rezoning request for Cemex

A public hearing was held on Teusday concerning a request from the Clinchfield production plant of the cement company, Cemex. The company requested that two parcels, 290 acres, and 6.5 acres, which is currently being mined, be rezoned from agricultural and residential use to M2 general industrial use. This rezoning gives the plant additional resources to continue operations. According to plant manager Alex Guyse, the plant employs over 130 employees, and has been in business since the 1920’s, though not always under Cemex.

Mark Davies, director of cement resources, said that the approval would not result in an additional increase in traffic, nor would there be a production increase. “We are just asking for the 290 acres to continue to have limestone to feed the cement plant.” Davies said. Davies also shared that 80% of the resources need to make cement are limestone and “The 290 acres would provide about 20 years of additional reserves.”

Davies explained that Cemex creates employment for 374 indirect jobs as well as 133 direct jobs, and that around $125 million of the economic impact resulting from the plant, stays in Houston County. “As long as we have limestone to continue to feed that plant those trends will continue.”

Concerns were then expressed about the request. Becky Wood of Kathleen voiced concerns of pollution. Wood said that though Cemex does not claim plans to increase production, the rezoning of the land leaves the potential to do so. She also cited a 2009 request by Cemex to increase the allowed amount of pollutants emitted by the plant as well as a citation received by the plant in 2011. Wood said that the plant was found to be emitting double the allowable limit of pollutants as well as failing to report the offense in a timely manner. “We understand that there are jobs and an economic impact,” Wood said, “but is it worth our health and well-being?”

Wood also referenced wet lands along the borders of the proposed area, which she says are designated to be used for conservation purposes, and the absence of a 200 foot forested buffer that she says is required by the Environmental Protection Division. Without these trees, Wood said there is nothing to filter the pollutants. “We are being exposed to pollutants that are being exceeded by law” Wood said.

Walt Wood, also of Kathleen, echoed Woods concerns and asked why no one was enforcing the buffer rule? Walt also stated that the legal ad in the Houston Home Journal announcing the hearing did not include the highway 224, to which County Attorney Tom Hall said is acceptable due to a sign being posted along that highway.

According to Davies, while the plant does emit pollutants, it is continuously monitored. The plant also has conditions regarding emissions that must be met. Davies said that the majority of the fuels burnt are recycled fuels, such as waste tires and wood debris and are taken into account when it comes to meeting compliance standards. Eddie Borders, environmental manager of the Clinchfield plant, said that there are environmental monitors that monitor pollution 24 hours, seven days a week, and if the monitors go down, the plant does as well. Davies further explained the 200 foot buffer called into question was cut down by a previous owner, not by Cemex. Timothy Andrews, building official / planning and zoning administrator for the county, said that the buffer was a condition on a previously submitted request. “The buffer was only required for the purpose of the mining operation, not a condition of the zone.” Andrews also said that the buffer would still be a part of the mining requirement, and that it may be required that the buffer be reestablished.

The request was granted in a three to one vote, with Commissioner Larry Thomson (Post 4) opposed.