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Proposed asphalt plant withdrawn in Bristow
Opponents of the two proposed asphalt plants in the Broad Run Industrial Park at Innovation were handed a second win this past week. In the face of mounting pressure, the company GRR Land of Virginia pulled its request for a special use permit to develop one of the facilities.The Prince William Board of County Supervisors was scheduled to hold a hearing regarding the plant on Tuesday. The board had already opted to indefinitely delay a vote on a second asphalt plant by
Finley Asphalt and Sealing, right down the road from the GRR site.
However, if the Finley proposal resurfaces, it is unlikely that GRR's decision to pull its request will affect the Finley request because GRR has more factors working against it than Finley.
The GRR plant would have been the closest to Victory Elementary School in Bristow at less than half a mile. One of the main reasons homeowners in Bristow have mounted opposition to the plants is because of potential environmental concerns related to exhaust fumes produced by the facilities that could seep into the air where their children go to school.
"We learned that it still can be considered for a vote if one of the county supervisors presents a motion to that effect. We must continue to be vigilant and aware of the status of the permits," wrote Victory Lakes homeowner Alexander Kot on the Web site Bristow Opposition.
Kot had helped organize local opposition to the plants amongst residents of several subdivisions in western Prince William, particularly Victory Lakes, Saybrooke and Braemar.
Another reason Kot and others presented for opposing the plants is that up to 800 large trucks will travel along Hornbaker Road each day to service the two plants.
County zoning rules had specifically prohibited an asphalt plant on the site GRR has picked but the Planning Commission voted to reverse that in May, clearing the way for GRR.
Finley does not have similar problems with regards to zoning, so the legal basis for denying the plant may be tougher for members of the Board of County Supervisors. The board indefinitely shelved the Finley plant at an earlier meeting but company officials still intend to build the plant in that location.
"Hey, guess what; it's zoned for heavy industrial," said Finley spokesman Tim Bako on June 8 as he spoke about the difference between the Finley proposal and GRR plan. Bako added that Finley representatives plan on organizing meetings with local residents in order to state the company's case directly to the people.
He pointed out that plants in Alexandria and Fairfax have operated without environmental complaints throughout the decade and both were built near residential areas.
Both of the proposed plants in Prince William would fall within the magisterial district of Supervisor Wally Covington (R-Brentsville), who recently came out against building plants in that particular area of county.
County Chairman Corey Stewart (R-at large) stated in an open letter to Bristow residents that he was opposed to the plants "until and unless your concerns are adequately addressed."
He added, "The county needs industry and it benefits all of us in the long run to have extensive commercial development. However, you can rest assured that as long as I draw breath, new industries that come to Prince William County will be built and operated as safe and humanely possible."
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