Council reaffirms Quikrete

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DANIELLE PETERSON Appeal Tribune
October 8, 2008
Following a protest and nearly three hours of discussion, the
Silverton City Council voted Monday in favor of reaffirming the
planning commission's decision to allow the establishment of a
concrete packaging plant.

The meeting addressed three appeals that were filed
countering the commission's decision on Aug. 19, which
approved Quikrete's conditional use permit, but under revised
conditions.
That decision prompted appeals from Webb Lake Homeowner's Association, a group of
residents known as Citizens United Against Quikrete, as well as Quikrete officials.
Following a staff report, discussion from each appellant and rebuttal to those claims, the
council reviewed its options to either reverse or affirm the commission's decision or to remand
it. The council ultimately voted to affirm the decision, but modified four of the conditions —
creating stricter noise, air quality and drainage standards.
But the decision may not be the final word. It could be appealed to the Land Use Board of
Appeals (LUBA).
"With three different appellants it's likely that will happen," said Community Development and
Planning Director Linda Sarnoff.
When the resolution passes at the November council meeting and the notice of decision is
mailed out, she said opponents would have 21 days to file an appeal.
Since the commission's decision in August, three protests objecting to the arrival of the plant
have been staged outside the community center. After Monday's display, the group filtered into
the center, filling up all available seating, to hear the council deliberate.
Opponents were mainly concerned with air quality, potential health hazards and noise.
"I don't feel like the city government is really supporting the people here," said Cheryl Clark,
who was among about two dozen protesters Monday night.
When emotions flared, Mayor Ken Hector scolded a couple of the audience members for
speaking out of turn during the hearing.
Quikrete plans to locate in the former Redman Housing (also known as Champion Homes of
Oregon) facility at 1204 Mill St., where it would package dry concrete and mortar mixes.
It plans to use the main existing building on the property to house its production site and then
construct silos, an elevator and an outdoor storage facility.
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In its appeal, the Georgia-based company objected to four conditions, including those dealing
with night-time noise and operation, as well as the cap on how many trucks can leave the site.
None of those conditions were lifted by the council.
Calls made to Quikrete officials were not returned as of press time on Tuesday.
Although the property is part of the city's industrial park, it borders a residential area, as well as
Mark Twain Middle School.
At 19.1 acres, the property is the largest industrial parcel in the city, said Associate Planner
Jason Gottgetreu.
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