SR asphalt plant going back for zoning review
The Slippery Rock Township Zoning Hearing Board will meet Sept. 29 to review a request by Heilman Pavement Specialties Inc. to build an asphalt mixing plant at 490 Stoughton Road.
The request was first approved by the township supervisors late last year. The zoning hearing board gave it a special exception to operate as a heavy industry facility, according to the township's zoning ordinance, on Jan. 12, despite the property being rezoned for light industry last year.
However, a few township residents successfully sued the zoning hearing board in July, appealing that the virtual meeting format did not provide an adequate environment for people to interpret the request of Heilman Pavement Specialties.
“It was about the due process,” said Chris Coleman, an appellant in the lawsuit who lives on New Castle Road. “The judge said we didn't have anywhere near our rights of due process to thoroughly review the plan to have our chance to speak, and that we didn't have proper representation.”
Butler County Common Pleas Judge S. Michael Yeager said in his order that the township zoning board must hold a hearing at which everyone in attendance can be an active participant.
Heilman Pavement Specialties Inc. did not return a request for comment.
The township's permits and zoning officer Karen Connell said the zoning hearing board will reevaluate Heilman Pavement Specialties' building request at the meeting.
The appellants of the lawsuit, Coleman, Paul Boas, of Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, and Marcia Carnahan, who lives on New Castle Road near the proposed property, also fear the planned facility will negatively affect the environment, wildlife and air quality of the area and Slippery Rock Creek.
“It is widely known in this area, eagles are at the creek, and they feed there all the time,” Coleman said. “The aroma, they won't go to where there is bad air conditions.”
The appellants of the lawsuit said are pleased the hearing meeting will be in person this time, so they are able to engage in a more open format.
“We couldn't see or read any of the exhibits,” Boas said of the initial January hearing. “It was ridiculous.”
The meeting will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 29 in the township municipal building.
