Asphalt Debate

Asphalt plant hearing continued again

2008-05-14T06:17:00.000-07:00

A hearing to determine whether an asphalt company will be allowed to build and operate a second plant in Statesville moved into its 12th hour Monday night, and city leaders decided to continue it for the second time.

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Maymead hearing keeps city council up late

2008-05-07T06:45:00.000-07:00

The Statesville City Council worked late into the night Monday after convening a quasi-judicial hearing to consider a request by Maymead Inc. for a special-use permit to operate an asphalt plant on Northside Drive.

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The Statesville City Council adjourned a quasi-judicial hearing to determine whether Maymead Inc. should be allowed to operate an asphalt plant off Northside Drive around 12:40 a.m. Tuesday without reaching a decision.

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Maymead questions City Council power

2008-04-03T05:49:00.000-07:00

A court hearing has been set for later this month in a dispute over whether the Statesville City Council abused its power in February by refusing to approve a property subdivision for an asphalt company that hopes to build a new plant on the site.

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Letter: Fight about asphalt plant should use facts, not insults

2008-03-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

We are daily readers of your newspaper and have read the many articles, editorials and letters concerning the Maymead Materials Inc. expansion.

The outcome of the fight will not directly affect us since we live no where close to the proposed plant or have any personal connection to the parties involved.

Looking in on the situation objectively, it appears to have gotten way too personal. If the proponents of Maymead are so confident their plans for expansion will not harm individuals, the air or property values, why have they resorted to launching personal attacks on opposition spokesperson Larry Marlin?

Marlin stated in his guest editorial the reasons why the expansion is opposed by those living close to the intended expansion site. Instead of sticking with the facts to defend their position, the proponents have stooped to the level of slander.

Personally attacking a local, respected business owner is not going to sway our opinion in their direction. This is a fight about property rights vs. the public good and should not be made personal. Dragging Marlin through the mud as an individual singled out from his group makes Maymead look desperate.

Marlin’s personal business has nothing to do with asphalt. Can Maymead not defend itself based on the facts of the case?

Marion and Donna Karr
Statesville

Letter: Regional growth sparks need for another Maymead plant

2008-03-06T06:39:00.000-08:00

I am writing to let the public know about the dire need for a second asphalt plant in Statesville.

I have lived in this area my whole life and am happy to be making a living doing something right here at home.

There are many others in this area just like me, whose livelihoods depend on having access to asphalt. There are many small paving companies in this area who have work to do for schools, churches, pharmacies, etc., that need a driveway, parking lot or walking trail.

However, there is not enough asphalt in Iredell County to provide for the private sector in addition to the N.C. Department of Transportation needs.

Statesville is growing and it has many infrastructure demands. A new asphalt plant would be a huge relief to many of us who know that due to some unforeseen condition — like a power outage, vehicle accident or train wreck — our operations could be shut down as quickly as Maymead’s operations.

This fact is a burden to us, as well as Maymead, and I urge the Statesville City Council to consider this as Maymead goes forward with its plans to locate a new plant in Statesville.

Cory Honeycutt
Mooresville

Asphalt proposal is headed to court

2008-03-04T08:51:00.001-08:00

An asphalt company that was blocked from getting the special-use permit it needed to open a new plant in Statesville has filed a complaint against the city in Iredell County Superior Court claiming city council members overstepped their boundaries in denying a subdivision request by the company.

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Letter: Opponents of asphalt plants relying on misinformation

2008-03-03T12:08:00.000-08:00

Asphalt does not cause cancer. Just ask the Environmental Protection Agency.

Asphalt does not kill babies. Just ask the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Asphalt does not contaminate water supplies. Just ask the fish hatcheries that line their beds with it.

Asphalt is not smelled outside of plant property lines. Just ask neighbors of operating plants.

Asphalt is not a hazard to the people who work with it daily. Just ask the N.C. Department of Transportation.

Chad Fox
Statesville

Letter: Approving the asphalt plant is the right and legal thing to do

2008-02-27T20:10:00.000-08:00

I want to thank the three members of City Council who voted in favor of allowing the subdivision on Feb. 18. Regardless of whose property it is, or what its use will be, the owners of that property have a right to subdivide their property, just like anyone else.

I also want to let the city council know what a benefit a new asphalt plant would be to the community. I own a paving company in Statesville, and I have a real understanding of the growth happening in the area.

There is no way for us to keep up with the demand if we only have a single source for asphalt.

We are very fortunate to have growth in this county while much of the rest of the country is struggling.

I believe we should thank our community leaders for their progressive view of new industry.

That is one of the reasons Statesville continues to grow.

I ask the city council to approve a special-use permit for Maymead’s new asphalt plant.

Not only will it help the pavers in the area, but it’s the right and legal thing to do.

Jimmy Moore
JEMS Paving & Grading
Statesville

Letter: Proposed plant got bad rap

2008-02-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

I have been an employee of Maymead, Inc. for six years and have been around asphalt all my life. Not once have I been concerned for my health as a paving superintendent. My wife and I stay in a camper behind the Maymead office during the paving season. The camper is within 250 feet of the plant, and we are not afraid of it.

For the full letter, click here.

Letter: Asphalt plant part of solution

2008-02-25T09:29:00.000-08:00

I have lived in Statesville all of my life. I have seen many changes come to this community. I have seen businesses come and go, and along with those businesses, I have seen jobs come and go.

For the full letter, click here.

Letter: City should act now to prevent next Maymead

2008-02-23T09:31:00.000-08:00

Opposition to Maymead Materials Inc.’s placing an asphalt plant on Northside Drive was demonstrated at Monday night’s city council’s meeting, where approximately 300 residents and concerned citizens crowded into two rooms to present planned speeches and petitions with over 1,000 signatures at the quasi-judicial hearing.
For the full letter, click here.

Asphalt plant company looks into legal options

2008-02-20T09:38:00.000-08:00

Statesville City Councilman Cecil Stallard said his controversial vote at Monday night’s meeting was nothing more than a reflection of his conscience.

Stallard was one of three council members who voted against the approval of a sketch plan by Maymead Materials Inc. for subdividing an approximately 20-acre piece of property into three parcels.

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City council refuses to subdivide property for asphalt plant

2008-02-19T09:40:00.000-08:00

At first the packed crowd didn’t quite know what to make of the tie vote at Monday night’s Statesville City Council meeting.But it was clear from the reaction of the attorneys that it was significant.

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Hundreds of asphalt plant opponents expected at city council meeting tonight

2008-02-18T09:39:00.000-08:00

Tonight’s Statesville City Council meeting could be one talked about for years to come.

Mayor Costi Kutteh said he wants the bulk of the agenda disposed of by 7:30 p.m. so the council can dedicate the rest of the night - literally - to a hearing concerning a special-use permit request for an asphalt company that wants to expand its local operations.

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Asphalt plant will be hot topic at city council meeting

2008-02-15T09:42:00.000-08:00

Most of the Statesville City Council pre-agenda meeting was dedicated to the final two items that will appear on the agenda of Monday’s regular meeting.

Because of those two items, council members were warned to be prepared for a long night Monday.

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Asphalt plant group asks for delay before city council meeting

2008-01-31T09:43:00.000-08:00

The Statesville City Council may have gotten a break this week when members received a letter asking that consideration of one of two hot-button agenda items be delayed.

A letter from attorney William Pope, who represents Maymead Asphalt Co., asked the council to postpone considering its request for a special-use permit to allow Maymead to construct an asphalt plant on Northside Drive, in the northwestern part of the city.

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Letter: Proposed plant is threat to community

2008-01-29T09:32:00.000-08:00

For some time now, I have been sympathetically following the progress of Snow Creek area residents in resisting the construction of a biodiesel plant in their residential/agricultural community.

For the full letter, click here.

Asphalt plant opponents plan to make their presence known at meeting

2008-01-28T09:41:00.000-08:00

The last time residents near the western edge of Statesville protested the construction of an asphalt plant near their neighborhood, they had to move the city council meeting across Front and Center streets to a room in the Statesville Civic Center.

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Editorial: Council faces tough call on plant

2008-01-25T09:34:00.000-08:00

For all the talk and hand-wringing about a global recession, there’s no reason to believe the explosive residential and retail growth occurring in our region is anything but a precursor of bigger things to come.

For the full editorial, click here.

Planning board OKs permit for asphalt plant; councilwoman tours facility

2008-01-24T09:41:00.000-08:00

An asphalt company cleared a hurdle in its bid to expand its local operations Tuesday when the Statesville Planning Board recommended approval of the special-use permit required to open a new plant off Northside Drive.

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Asphalt plant opponents hope for big turnout at Planning Board meeting

2008-01-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

About a dozen people took seats at the the First RX pharmacy Thursday night, but their purpose had nothing to do with medication or even an item on the menu of the store’s cafe.

The group had the topic of asphalt on their minds.

And, more specifically, on planning ways to stop an asphalt producing plant from being built, so to speak, in their backyards.

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Demand keeps county's lone asphalt plant busy

2007-11-04T09:39:00.000-08:00

Two balloon lights stuck out of the Caterpillar paver like alien antennas lighting the way for the Maymead road crew as it prepared for the long night ahead.

Southbound traffic on Interstate 77 between mile markers 44 and 43 had finally unclogged and was trickling toward Troutman when foreman Tom Dickens flipped his cell phone up.

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