Dear Editor,
As homeowners in District 4 since August 1999, we oppose the rezoning request from AG to I-M made by Putnam County Stone LLC for 917.78 acres on Dennis Station Road.
After reading the zoning application, we have the following concerns: 1. Incremental new jobs for Putnam County; however, 14.6 full-time equivalent positions represent a mix of full-time and part-time jobs. It is also highly possible the positions could be offered to relocated candidates who are experienced in managing and overseeing the daily operations of a granite quarry. While the salaries will be an incremental lift to the Putnam County economy, it does not guarantee Putnam County residents will fill each position; 26 additional jobs in Putnam County are estimated to be created, but no details exist as to the type of positions or the timing of their availabilities; 62 contract trucking positions are to be created; however, many truck hauling companies are based adjacent to Putnam County and could contract for the work with no incremental lift to the county’s revenues other than perhaps meals and fuel sales; and, 211 temporary jobs due to the development and construction of the quarry; however, many construction companies and construction workers operate and live in adjacent counties, which again could result in minimal incremental lift to the county’s revenues.
2. No blasting activities will be conducted beyond a time period between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays only; however, Blasting will occur more frequently than 1-2 times per month during the early stages of the quarry; Water trucks used once a day will not adequately control potentially hazardous silica dust; Hydraulic hammering will be incessant; and, Quarry operating hours are designated between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, which means heavy-duty truck traffic and quarry noise, in addition to weekday blasting, will occur six days per week.
3. The traffic study indicated Dennis Station Road, a secondary collector road, as satisfactory; however, Dennis Station Road is not built to collector-level standards for heavy-duty dump trucks; Does not have a minimum of 12-foot-wide lanes; Does not have adequate paved shoulders; and, Lacks a southbound left-turn lane to accommodate a level of through traffic consistent with resident expectations.
4. The application stated there was an “established pattern of industrial development in the vicinity that will further the strong, balanced economy envisioned by the county in the Comprehensive Plan;” however, This implies an intent to make Dennis Station Road an industrial corridor, apparently based solely on the presence of the Interfor plant; Each stage of the proposed quarry comes with environmental costs, including decimation of the environment with increased air pollution and noise.
Very few — if any — of us will be alive in 75-plus years to see if the proposed reclamation funds set aside in a bond will be enough to rehabilitate the effects of open-pit mining. So, we respectfully request Putnam County’s Planning & Zoning Board and our elected county commissioners to pause and consider the numerous intentional and unintentional negative consequences that will occur if the zoning request is approved.
Regards, James and Sharon Cobb Putnam County Dist. 4