Agency objects to plant proposal

A state review of Florida Rock's plan questions its proximity to homes and its potential effect on the aquifer.

By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 19, 2000

A proposed cement plant by Florida Rock Industries north of Brooksville might clash with future land-use plans because it sits near residential neighborhoods and dangerously close to mining pits with an exposed Floridan aquifer, according to state officials.

In its first review of a request by Florida Rock to change the future land use for 48 acres near the Citrus County line for a cement plant, the state Department of Community Affairs raised two objections in a report received by Hernando County planners Monday.

However, state and county officials say the objections are procedural and should be easy to overcome.

First, the report calls for a straight answer on the distance between the proposed site off U.S. 98 and nearby residents. The DCA, which reviews all requested changes to counties' comprehensive plans, received conflicting information about the site from the county, which put the distance at 1.5 miles from residents, and neighbors, who said it was as close as 1,000 feet, according to the report.

In the report, DCA officials recommend an analysis of the site, which abuts Florida Rock's mining operations, and its impact on existing and future residential property.

"The analysis should assess the compatibility of the proposed industrial use with the residential uses with regard to noise, dust, vibration and light," the report said.

Jake Varn, attorney for Florida Rock, said though he's at a loss to figure out why industry would be more intrusive than mining, the company would gather information to answer those questions.

Some of the data will include aerial photographs, records from the Property Appraiser's Office and residential concentrations in other industrial sites in the county, he said.

"I don't see it being any big deal," Varn said.

Michael Sherman, growth management administrator for DCA, said the agency was mostly looking for consistent answers. The compatibility of the plant with residential property is typically a local issue, he said.

"We just want some clarification more than anything," he said.

Mary Ellen Shoemaker, a Citrus County environmentalist, said she hopes nearby residents are given more consideration than just clearing up how far away they live from the site.

"It's more than just identifying where the people live and whether there's a conflict on where they are," she said. "It's a compatibility issue. I don't think that should be dismissed."

The county has 60 days to respond to DCA's objections and recommendations. At a land-use hearing June 7, the County Commission is expected to decide whether to approve Florida Rock's request for a change to the comprehensive plan and whether that change will include DCA's recommendations.

If the commission approves it, the DCA will then make a final decision within 45 days on whether the proposal is consistent with the comprehensive plan. If DCA rules against the request, an unlikely scenario, according to DCA, the matter will go to an administrative hearing. If approved, it will take effect in 21 days if not challenged by the parties involved. The company then will need to seek county zoning changes and permits as well as state air permits.

Aside from residential concerns, the DCA raised a second objection related to the possible contamination of groundwater and the aquifer because of the nearness of open mine pits.

But Sherman and county planning officials say the county has a 1994 groundwater protection ordinance in place that should address those concerns and protect the aquifer.

However, the DCA wants the county to translate the principles from the ordinance into the comprehensive plan, which cannot be changed as easily, Sherman said.

"I don't think it's going to be hard to overcome these objections," Sherman said.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.