Clark County Council Hears Citizen Protests

Clark County Council Hears Citizen Protests

Over a hundred residents of central Vancouver, including over a dozen residents of Amberglen, packed the Clark County Council meeting on January 17 to protest the concrete batch plant which is being planned for construction near the Cedars 49 neighborhood. Eighteen citizens voiced their concerns during the hour-and-a-half-long Public Comment portion of the meeting.

Highlights of the public commentary are described below. Tap on the description to see the related video clip.

A useful summary of the meeting can also be found in an article published in The Columbian.

26:44 – Blake DeFrance describes recent zoning changes to the relevant property and outlines the primary concerns of the group.

30:18 – Jan Kelly addresses the harmful impact of light pollution from the 90-foot tall tower and air pollution from the trucks.

34:27 – Denise Trassatti continues with commentary about light and air pollution.

38:10 – Mark Krant provides details about the short distances between residential neighborhoods and the plant, then illustrates the impact of noise pollution with recordings from another concrete batch plant.

41:45 – Adam Turigliatto informs the council of silicosis and related respiratory ailments from the perspective of a registered respiratory therapist.

45:18 – Bill Peterson poses questions to the council about apparent irregularities in the zoning process.

49:29 – Davi d Feist directs attention to issues related to IR (rail industrial) zoning.

51:12 – Donald Ryan talks about detrimental impacts on quality of life; in particular, about the effects airborne silica will have on his wife and grandchildren. He also talks about the effects noise pollution will have on his wife.

53:53– Brian Squires expresses concerns about more vehicles on the road: “Are you willing to live with that yourself?”

54:53 – Scott Golphenee describes lessons learned from the impact of wind turbines, saying, “Just because the zoning may allow it doesn’t mean it’s a good place to put it.”

57:52– Arlene Bachman explains that she takes care of her grandchildren twice a week and is now concerned about silica dust. She’s afraid she’ll have to move because of it, even though she doesn’t want to.

1:00:35– Eric Hansen describes his concern about the cement trucks, noting that he has animals and also plans on having kids.

1:10:09– Angela Krant announces that there are 121 people in attendance tonight who oppose the concrete plant.

1:14:14– Wendy Gilbert notes the huge residential growth in the area, stating that “a big, ol’ pollution machine” in the area makes no sense. She describes her personal experience with her mom, who died from breathing issues.

1:17:12– Emory Bachman talks about his experience with maintaining heavy equipment and warns against having a 100 decibel rock crusher in such close proximity. He also warns of the prevailing summer winds, which would carry silica dust directly into the neighborhoods.

1:19:02– Jerry (last name unavailable) speaks of his experience in oil fields and mines, and how he moved to the area because it was beautiful. He states, “This will destroy the community’s health… It will destroy the environment and the people will suffer.”

1:20:59– Connie Bushnell expresses appreciation for the passion of her neighbors, then speaks of her concern for children playing at nearby schools, such as Glenwood Elementary.

1:22:56– Rachel Keller describes the effects on Curtin Creek Wetlands, which is less than a quarter mile from the proposed plant. She notes how ridiculous it is to spend millions to protect the environment, and then to allow a concrete batch plant to be built next door.

1:25:37– Councilperson Karen Bowerman thanks everyone for “being a part of the process,” adding that, “I want to assure you that you have been heard.”

1:27:58– Clark County Manager Kathleen Otto talks about next steps, including a public hearing if Knife River submits an application for conditional use. She also mentions a SEPA review discussing mitigations to environmental impacts: silica dust, lighting, noise, etc.

1:31:41– Councilperson Sue Marshall asks whether a public hearing would take place before the hearings examiner or the County Council.

1:33:07– Clark County Deputy Prosecutor Christine Cook explains that the council plays no part in anything regarding the permit. SEPA review and conditional use permit public hearings will take place before the hearings examiner.

1:34:46– Councilperson Karen Bowerman asks that a written explanation be provided to concerned citizens which describes the status of the issue and where it goes from here.

1:35:34– Councilperson Gary Medvigy states that he has no “accurate recollection” of past events related to the zoning change. He suggests that the council is working on rule changes regarding how a council decision can be lawfully reconsidered.

1:37:42– Clark County Manager Kathleen Otto asks for contacts to whom she can send more definitive information about process.

Amberglen Good Works is working in cooperation with the Friends of Central Vancouver to stop the planned construction of a concrete batch plant adjacent to the Mt. View Estates neighborhood, less than 3/4 mile from Amberglen. We urge all of our neighbors to help in any way possible. Please contact us by email at amberglengoodworks@gmail.com, or speak to a member of the AGW Steering Committee to find out what you can do.

— “This will destroy our community’s health. It will destroy the environment and the people will suffer.”