JACKSON TOWNSHIP — Expansion for Lindy Paving’s Zelienople plant may be on the horizon.

The Jackson Township Planning Commission voted Wednesday evening to give a conditional recommendation for approval for the asphalt manufacturer’s plan.

The project, which was presented in August, will create an enclosed concrete plant.

Lindy representatives were at Wednesday’s meeting with a map to show what changes would take place at the plant at 158 Lindsey Road.

At a previous hearing, company representatives said the reason that Lindy wants to start making concrete is that most state contracts now require both asphalt and concrete.

Concrete also has a seasonal advantage over asphalt.

While asphalt is available in certain months of the year due to rules by the state Department of Transportation, concrete has the advantage of being available all year long and able to be applied in short notice, such as during brief warm periods in winter.

There are some concerns about the expansion including traffic impact, stormwater drainage control and lighting.

But township manager Chris Rearick said, “Those all seem to have been addressed. We’ll look for additional confirmation from them. The mere fact that they’re updating those facilities helps to minimize those risks.”

One setback is that HRG Engineering’s comments on the project were not given at the meeting. Lindy received those comments Tuesday evening but did not have time to follow them up for Wednesday’s meeting.

Commission Vice Chairman Bob McGuire was hesitant to recommend approval for the plan, saying more information and comments from engineering is needed.

“For us to take that affirmative action to recommend the board to approve something in two weeks without having all the paperwork in front of us, I’m reluctant to do that,” said McGuire.

But by approving the plan conditionally, the letters and comments by the engineering would have to be addressed by the township supervisors.

Lindy has two weeks to meet the conditions since the plan will go to the supervisors for approval.