12.B) Rezoning #03-23 of O-N Minerals (Chemstone) d/b/a Carmeuse Americas to Rezone 391.87+/- Acres from RA (Rural Areas) District to EM (Extractive Manufacturing) District with Proffers. The Properties are Located East of the Winchester & Western Railroad, North of Brucetown Road (Route 672) and Turkey Run, and South of Woodbine Road (Route 669) and are Identified by Property Identification Numbers (PIN’s) 34-A-8A Portion, 34-A-129E Portion, 34-A-10, 34-A-10A, 34-A-10B, 34-A-10D, 34-A-10E, 34-A-10F, 34-8-1-1, 34-8-1-2, 34-8-1-3, 34-8-1-4, 34-8-1-5, 34-8-1-6, 34-8-1-7, 34-8-1-8, 34-8-1-9, 34-8-1-17, 34-1-A, 34-A-7, 34-A-129A and 34-A-129G in the Stonewall Magisterial District.
Upon review of Carmeuse Americas’ request for rezoning, I support approval of this request. While there is no perfect answer to mining development and the associated activities surrounding limestone extraction, the overall factors favor rezoning approval. Disapproval of this request has additional impacts not captured in the focused nature of this application. As disclosed by Carmeuse Americas at a recent Middletown VA town council meeting, mining at the Clear Brook site is nearing completion. Based on their investment of a $200M limestone kiln at the site to refine the product they will seek to supply this plant from the closest alternative source of limestone. This application approval would put that immediately adjacent to the current property. Disapproval would shift full supply of this plant to the site at the south end of the county near Middletown. This would increase truck traffic on an already strained transportation network by a factor of 10. 25 trucks a day would become 250 trucks per day. Highway 11 traffic (the main road utilized by Carmeuse) is increasing significantly with local development. The Middletown Planning Commission is actively seeking ways to improve public safety on this section of road. Additionally, Highway 11 traffic would likely increase through Stephens City as taking this route avoids the time consuming weight station on Interstate 81. This passes multiple schools, two townships with strained transportation issues and increasing development related infrastructure demands. This transition to the Middletown site is by right and will occur to support continued operation t the Clear Brook mine. The choice is wether to limit the impact to an isolated area in the best way presented at this time or impact the entire county by spreading the Carmeuse mine and dramatically magnifying its negative impacts.
Mark Klein
Middletown VA resident
Middletown VA Planning Commission, Chairman
I strongly encourage the support of this rezoning. This county cannot continue to tamp down business expansion and property rights of private landowners if we want sustainable and reasonable growth. The concerns of neighbors need to be listened to and addressed for sure however the larger benefit to the county and the precedent setting decision about business property rights is the real issue. The small businesses in our area depend on industries like Carmeuse who demand our products and services. So a decision like this isn't just about this company, it has a ripple effect throughout our area that is significant. Finally, if this isn't approved, and that land becomes another pile of houses (it isn't just going to remain in its current state), then how is that good for Frederick County? Please approve this request and allow this company to continue to be a valuable corporate citizen.
Dear Members of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors,
On behalf of the Middletown Town Council, we would like to ask that you support the effort of the Carmeuse rezoning attempt. Middletown and Stephens City residents have grave concerns about the denial of this request and the additional burden of 267 tractor trailers on our already crowded roadways. Carmeuse officials have stated that because of the infrastructure upgrades to the Clearbrook plant, they will truck materials in from Middletown, should this rezoning attempt fail. Currently, only 25 trucks a day enter and leave the Middletown site. That number will spike to 190 daily trucks from the Middletown quarry and nearly 100 more from the Carmeuse Strasburg operation. The addition of that many trucks per day on our roads, would simply not be feasible for our small, quaint, historic town. I sincerely hate the fact that this issue has pitted Clearbrook residents against Middletown and Stephens City residents, but I can't help but think if Clearbrook residents have considered what the addition of 267 tractor trailers would do to their already strained intersection of Brucetown Road. Would it not be a better solution for Clearbrook residents to work with Carmeuse officials and accept the over $2.5M dollars in proffers and road improvements AND keep 267 trucks a day off of your roads? Carmeuse has been a great partner in the community, donating more than 36 acres of land for preservation to the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation. The 36 acres of land yielded over 6,000 artifacts on display at various museums! In addition, they are annual supporters of the July 4th Celebration in Middletown, the annual Reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Creek, Blue Ridge Food Bank, Sherando Warrior Club and Sherando Band Boosters. Thank you for your consideration and service to the residents of Frederick County.
Sincerely,
Charles Harbaugh IV
Mayor of Middletown & Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation Board Member
I am writing to let you know that my husband and I are very much opposed to the rezoning request from Carmeuse. The detrimental effects of additional extractive mining outweighs the possible benefits. The tax revenue appears to be better on the current zoning than would be received by rezoningThe current mine has not helped Clear Brook improve in any way. We have gained a new “Mt. Clear Brook “ but it’s not a pretty mountain. The current mine still has 8-10 years left, according to Carmeuse so why the hurry to rezone. Is it to start destroying the property and take down the property values around the area. Carmeuse has offered proffers if the rezoning is approved. They have also said they are good community neighbors. Why only offer to do “neighborly” things when they want something?
We respectfully request that you vote to deny the rezoning request.
Upon review of Carmeuse Americas’ request for rezoning, I support approval of this request. While there is no perfect answer to mining development and the associated activities surrounding limestone extraction, the overall factors favor rezoning approval. Disapproval of this request has additional impacts not captured in the focused nature of this application. As disclosed by Carmeuse Americas at a recent Middletown VA town council meeting, mining at the Clear Brook site is nearing completion. Based on their investment of a $200M limestone kiln at the site to refine the product they will seek to supply this plant from the closest alternative source of limestone. This application approval would put that immediately adjacent to the current property. Disapproval would shift full supply of this plant to the site at the south end of the county near Middletown. This would increase truck traffic on an already strained transportation network by a factor of 10. 25 trucks a day would become 250 trucks per day. Highway 11 traffic (the main road utilized by Carmeuse) is increasing significantly with local development. The Middletown Planning Commission is actively seeking ways to improve public safety on this section of road. Additionally, Highway 11 traffic would likely increase through Stephens City as taking this route avoids the time consuming weight station on Interstate 81. This passes multiple schools, two townships with strained transportation issues and increasing development related infrastructure demands. This transition to the Middletown site is by right and will occur to support continued operation t the Clear Brook mine. The choice is wether to limit the impact to an isolated area in the best way presented at this time or impact the entire county by spreading the Carmeuse mine and dramatically magnifying its negative impacts.
Mark Klein
Middletown VA resident
Middletown VA Planning Commission, Chairman
I strongly encourage the support of this rezoning. This county cannot continue to tamp down business expansion and property rights of private landowners if we want sustainable and reasonable growth. The concerns of neighbors need to be listened to and addressed for sure however the larger benefit to the county and the precedent setting decision about business property rights is the real issue. The small businesses in our area depend on industries like Carmeuse who demand our products and services. So a decision like this isn't just about this company, it has a ripple effect throughout our area that is significant. Finally, if this isn't approved, and that land becomes another pile of houses (it isn't just going to remain in its current state), then how is that good for Frederick County? Please approve this request and allow this company to continue to be a valuable corporate citizen.
As a resident of Middletown, Virginia, I support this. I feel that having this just makes sense.
Dear Members of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors,
On behalf of the Middletown Town Council, we would like to ask that you support the effort of the Carmeuse rezoning attempt. Middletown and Stephens City residents have grave concerns about the denial of this request and the additional burden of 267 tractor trailers on our already crowded roadways. Carmeuse officials have stated that because of the infrastructure upgrades to the Clearbrook plant, they will truck materials in from Middletown, should this rezoning attempt fail. Currently, only 25 trucks a day enter and leave the Middletown site. That number will spike to 190 daily trucks from the Middletown quarry and nearly 100 more from the Carmeuse Strasburg operation. The addition of that many trucks per day on our roads, would simply not be feasible for our small, quaint, historic town. I sincerely hate the fact that this issue has pitted Clearbrook residents against Middletown and Stephens City residents, but I can't help but think if Clearbrook residents have considered what the addition of 267 tractor trailers would do to their already strained intersection of Brucetown Road. Would it not be a better solution for Clearbrook residents to work with Carmeuse officials and accept the over $2.5M dollars in proffers and road improvements AND keep 267 trucks a day off of your roads? Carmeuse has been a great partner in the community, donating more than 36 acres of land for preservation to the Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation. The 36 acres of land yielded over 6,000 artifacts on display at various museums! In addition, they are annual supporters of the July 4th Celebration in Middletown, the annual Reenactment of the Battle of Cedar Creek, Blue Ridge Food Bank, Sherando Warrior Club and Sherando Band Boosters. Thank you for your consideration and service to the residents of Frederick County.
Sincerely,
Charles Harbaugh IV
Mayor of Middletown & Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation Board Member
I am writing to let you know that my husband and I are very much opposed to the rezoning request from Carmeuse. The detrimental effects of additional extractive mining outweighs the possible benefits. The tax revenue appears to be better on the current zoning than would be received by rezoningThe current mine has not helped Clear Brook improve in any way. We have gained a new “Mt. Clear Brook “ but it’s not a pretty mountain. The current mine still has 8-10 years left, according to Carmeuse so why the hurry to rezone. Is it to start destroying the property and take down the property values around the area. Carmeuse has offered proffers if the rezoning is approved. They have also said they are good community neighbors. Why only offer to do “neighborly” things when they want something?
We respectfully request that you vote to deny the rezoning request.
Thank you
Lorraine Atchley
Stonewall