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Things have gotten a wee bit
mushy in the HYK concrete plant matter. Where last time we discussed the
fact that the PA Supreme Court had refused the appeal of the construction
giant and sent the whole thing back to the Board of Supervisors in
Smithfield Township for hearings, and in addition had allowed the
Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) and all other parties to rejoin the
process, there again have arisen various rumblings over whether or not a
“settlement” might be in the works.
Such a settlement, we hear from reliable sources, might involve placing a
“temporary” (meaning portable?) batching plant within the boundaries of the
Haines & Kibblehouse Quarry Operations site in Marshalls Creek, thereby
supposedly freeing the proposed original site adjacent to the East
Stroudsburg Regional Airport from development. If that is to be the case,
then such a move would require some zoning changes in the region of the
quarry where at present only retail businesses are permitted, sources say.
This raises two important questions: First is the issue of the manufacture
(of concrete) being allowed in a consumer-retail zone. Of course it’s a
stretch to believe that the current mining and crushing of thousands of
cubic yards of aggregate stone is somehow a retail enterprise, especially
when it is being carried out by a “Quarry Operations” company. The second
issue is whether or not zoning changes could or would be restricted to just
that one instance in just that one location. It is our experience that
allowing minor concessions such as these could spread like a virus to other
areas in the zone. Letting Mr. Haines and Co. in the door, so to speak,
might also give others of similar bent the idea that they could do the same.
However, there would be immediate advantages for both sides in a settlement
of this nature. We would benefit from having the noise, dust and
disturbances of a concrete operation removed from consideration on a wetland
next to our homes and the vulnerable aircraft-related businesses opposite
the proposed site on the Hamlin property. And of course HYK would be able to
sell their concrete to the contractors involved in building the Marshalls
Creek bypass. But, remember, there are always unintended consequences to any
remodeling of the law.
The Smithfield Board of Supervisors will, they say, contact all parties if
and when they are approached to modify the Zoning Ordinances for such an
eventuality. Presumably there would have to be hearings over any proposed
modifications.
THIS THING IS NOT OVER. AND REMEMBER, IT’S YOUR TOWN. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR
NEWS; STAY UP ON NOTICES IN THE PAPER. WRITE OR EMAIL YOUR SUPERVISORS. GET
INVOLVED!
Happy Holidays,
--The Editor |
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