Commission wants to trim quarry expansion plan
Members of the
Rockbridge County Planning Commission voted 4-1 last night (Nov. 14) to
recommend that only 10 acres be rezoned for the expansion of the Barger
Quarry.
Members of the commission said that that would give quarry owner Chuck
Barger time to find a new location for his quarry.
Barger applied for a permit in August to rezone 54 acres adjacent to his
current quarrying operation on Route 60 East. He had said anything less
would put him out of business.
“I don’t see this as a going out of business plan,” said Commission
Member Chris Wise, South River District. “I see it as a new location
plan.”
Barger was at the meeting but did not speak. He could not be reached for
comment Thursday.
The Planning Commission’s action is only a recommendation. The Board of
Supervisors will have the final decision on how or whether to rezone the
land. A public hearing will be held at the next Board of Supervisors
meeting on Nov. 26.
Wise said he wished the plan could go before the Board of Supervisors
after three newly elected supervisors take office in January. He thinks
the new board could reach a different decision than the current board.
Planning Commission Member David Winston, Buffalo District, estimated
that if Barger were to mine the 10 acres and the current quarry to a
depth of 200 feet, he would be able to remain at the present location
for the next 20 years.
Neighbors of the quarry have said that expanding by 54 acres would bring
the quarry too close to their homes and leave them susceptible to rock
flying out of the quarry.
The plan recommended by the Planning Commission would result in buffers
of land ranging from 300 to 600 feet.
Timmy Alphin, Walkers Creek District, was the only member of the
commission to oppose the recommendation. He said that he would like the
quarry to be efficient and to mine the last remaining aggregate at the
current location.
In 1993, when Barger applied to rezone land, the Planning Commission
recommended rezoning only 10 acres with a 20-year mining permit. The
Board of Supervisors voted against the recommendation, allowing 20 acres
to be rezoned and mined over 30 years.
Past quarry coverage
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Brian Richardson
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd