Wellington鈥檚 Planning Commission voted 6-1 to approve the construction of a controversial asphalt plant near residential areas during a heated public meeting Monday night.
Representatives from Connell Resources made several presentations during the meeting to address residents' concerns about the plant, but Wellington Planning Commission Chair Eric Sartor had a hard time keeping attendees from disrupting their presentations.
"We're gonna call recess. 10 minutes. I asked鈥擨 tried to ask politely. We're trying to get through presentations here, you guys,鈥� Sartor said to the disruptive attendees during the meeting.
Wellington residents have been criticizing the plans for a new asphalt plant for months. They鈥檙e concerned about toxic pollution and the plant鈥檚 effect on property values. Wellington resident Matt Goepel called out the commission during the Monday meeting.
鈥淒o asphalt plants near your neighborhood increase property values? Is that in line with the vision of the town?鈥� Goepel said.
Wellington resident Nancy Mckay threatened legal action against the city.
鈥淲e have enough on the adjustment board and I'll tell you, tonight we have secured a lawyer. We will be filing against the adjustment board through the town of Wellington and they will be notified by the end of next week," Mckay said.
After the commission's favorable vote Monday night, Connell Resources can now file for a building permit to construct the asphalt plant. Outside of legal action, residents are running out of other options to stop the construction.
Some Wellington residents were hoping that during Monday meeting, the planning commission would apply an ambiguous town legal standard directed at businesses that "produce or curate" toxic chemicals. That would change the rules for the use of the property, making it impossible for Connell Resources to build there without asking for an exemption to those rules.
This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Matt Goepel's last name.
