EDC member to vote against asphalt plant

By Rose Hooper

"After touring the asphalt plants in Dillsboro and Enka and after hearing a presentation from Mark Fortner, who planned to build a plant at Gateway, I thought a new asphalt plant in the county would be good for the economy," Stephens said. "But, after listening to air quality specialists and especially to the folks in the Qualla community, I've changed my mind."

Qualla's residents not wanting an asphalt plant in their neighborhood is similar to Forest Hills residents who don't want undesirable expansion in their neighborhood, Stephens said.

"While my recommendation is 'no' to the asphalt plant, I'm here as your EDC representative asking you how I should vote," Stephens said.

"We should rely on Ron's expertise," Mayor Irene Hooper said.

Board member Harold Williford agreed. "Ron's been to the plants and to the meetings; he has done his homework. Our charge to him should be to vote his conscience."

Hooper called for a motion to accept Stephens' recommendation of a 'no' vote; the board voted unanimously to concur.

Jackson County has a moratorium on the construction of asphalt plants until May 2002. During the moratorium, commissioners asked members of the EDC to determine the economic impact of an asphalt plant in the county.

"The EDC is nearing the end of its fact-finding," Stephens said.

The positive economic impact of an asphalt plant in Jackson County would be the 10 or so jobs it would create, Stephens said. Another plant in the county would also create competition and lower asphalt costs, he pointed out.

"However, you have to weigh that against property values plummeting... and we learned that happened in both Macon and Avery counties," he said. "You also have increased medical expenses relating to sinus and respiratory problems because of the toxins and carcinogens emitted by asphalt plants. And then, because of the haze, you have the loss of tourism dollars."

Stephens said that during Smart Growth meetings held around the county, a resounding theme was to "protect and preserve our natural resources. Nobody suggested that we increase pollutants."

Based on current state guidelines, which are less stringent than many other states, if Fortner filled out an application for an asphalt plant in the Gateway community, the state would grant it, Stephens said.

"In one of our EDC presentations we learned that Ashe County enacted a Polluting Industries Ordinance prohibiting asphalt plants from locating within 1,000 feet of residences, schools and day care centers," he said. Fortner's proposed plant, Stephens noted, would be located near Smokey Mountain Elementary School and the Eastern Band's new 26-acre recreation complex.

Board member Larry Kolenbrander asked how effective the ordinance was there; Stephens replied that it has withstood the tests of the federal courts.

"While we don't have any land-use planning, Jackson County could do something like that," Stephens said.

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