Asphalt plant is proposed on old Salem water treatment plant, explanatory meeting
Do you live in or near western Roanoke County?
A community meeting is being held at the Glenvar Middle School auditorium at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 for Adams Construction Company to explain its plans for redeveloping the site of the old Salem city water treatment plant.
According to David Holladay, Roanoke County planning administrator, the company plans to repurpose many of the buildings and structures already present on the site. In order to operate an asphalt plant and construction yard on the premises, about 12 acres of the property will have to be rezoned from a I-1, Low Intensity with Conditions and Special Use Permit to a heavier industrial zoning grade, I-2 CS.
“I spoke with the president of Adams yesterday [Jan. 19] and I’m fine with it,” said nearby resident Harry Rhodes. “It can’t be worse than the operation they’ve got there now.” He is satisfied with the company’s plans, especially the concealment measures they plan to take.
The planning commission’s meeting to approve or to deny the zoning changes will take place at 7 p.m. on Feb. 3 at the Roanoke County Administration Center on Bernard Drive.
Check back online Thursday night for an update on the company’s presentation and reactions from the public at the community meeting.
In the meantime, Roanoke Times reporter Cody Lowe has more information on the meeting, and a full length article will be in tomorrow’s edition of the Roanoke Times.
January 20, 2009 - 4:20 PM
This plant will operate approximately 800 yards from the Glenvar Elementary, Middle and High School. According to USA Today, the school complex which educates approximately 1,470 students is listed as one of the top 25% in the nation for most polluted air space around the schools. An asphalt plant will only increase pollutants.
The EPA currently has air pollution violations and numerous complaints
in Lexington, Virginia, for the company requesting zoning approval (Adams Construction Company).
How and what can be done to bring attention to the need for cleaner air not more pollutants
For anyone who thinks this is good for the economy and employment in the area, the plant with employee no more than 8 people.
I am very concerned about the proposed asphalt plant at the site of the old water treatment plant in West Salem. My wife and I live in The Oaks at Cherokee Hills and are very concerned about the noise and traffic issues created by up to 100 large trucks of asphalt per day in and out of that facility. With no benefit to Roanoke County residents with the placement of this commercial facility in West Salem I do not see why the County would approve such a request for rezoning. Furthermore it appears they are simply planning on moving the facility operated in North Roanoke County to West Salem….therefore no new tax revenue or significant job creation. The only upside I can see is for the petitioner. The downside is definitely quality of life and property values for those of us living in close proximity. I say move further West please.