In the upcoming meeting this agenda item is mentioned:
4. We proposed to question whether the proposed "batch cement plant" proposed for Bakers Ridge Road is a health hazard to the local nursing home, residents and the proposed University High School.
I want to point out that there has already been a road built at the proposed site on the plateau above the nursing home and pretty close the WVU's new NAFTC 'National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium" building. The company that has built the road is called Alcon and is located in Bruceton Mills. A sign has been placed in front of the road explaining how interested public should contact the DEP for more information about the environmental impact of the construction site.
At first I just assumed this was the beginnings of house construction in this area related to the future planned University High School, but the DEP sign and this recent agenda item come as great shock. The prospect of building a batch cement plant in this area is outrageous especially since it appears this company specializes in Portland cement. Will they be employing environmentally sound practices? Will people in the region be exposed to heavy metals and particulates?
There are hiking/biking trails open to the public by the University right by the proposed batch cement site. This is ironic, I was worried about greenspace being lost to housing in this region, but now it appears more likely that people will not want to have homes (or schools) in this industrialized area. It would be many times better if this region was turned into a public park rather than a housing development or industrial park. Then there could be sane development around the public park with well planned roads, bikeways, and connector trails making it a very popular spot for all to enjoy, and it would become an area to remind everyone why WV is one of the best places in the world to live .. not the worst place.
Jonathan