Some East Flat Rock residents vow to fight planned asphalt plant
EAST FLAT ROCK, N.C. (WLOS) — Controversy continues over a proposed asphalt plant in Henderson County. Neighbors in East Flat Rock met to talk about their plans to stop SE Asphalt from being built near their homes.
In order for the proposal to move forward, Henderson County commissioners have to rezone the land the asphalt plant would sit on.
People News 13 spoke with said they don’t want it rezoned and they don’t want the plant to be allowed to be built there.
“I’m concerned for the people in my neighborhood and my children,” concerned resident Mary Warren said.
MEETING DOES NOT EASE WORRIES ABOUT PROPOSED ASPHALT PLANT IN EAST FLAT ROCK
For the neighbors who gathered at the Highland Hills subdivision of East Flat Rock just the thought of an asphalt plant going in near their homes is something they don’t want to consider.
“We’re going to fight it ‘til the very end,” said Judy Williams, who organized the group against the plant.
Jeff Shipman, of SE Asphalt, wants to build the asphalt plant on 6.5 acres off Spartanburg Highway.
At a neighborhood meeting held by the county on Monday, Shipman’s civil engineer said the plant would bring six to seven jobs. He said it would grow the economy because of the DOT’s demand for asphalt right now.
“My client feels like it’s much needed,” engineer Warren Sugg said of the project.
Some residents disagree.
“I can’t see anything positive. It’s not going to create that many jobs,” Ralph Wood said.
EAST FLAT ROCK COUPLE FEARS PROPOSED ASPHALT PLANT WILL IMPACT HEALTH, PROPERTY VALUES
Neighbors said they worry about the impact the plant would have on their property values, as well as on air and water quality.
“I’m growing tomatoes. I’m growing beans up against a chain link fence. But once this goes in, I don’t dare put it out,” Williams said.
Sugg responded to some of those concerns Monday.
“Our intentionality is to have a asphalt plant that meets all of the requirements, and I don’t expect any kind of property damages in any kind of way,” Sugg said.
People also worry about the proximity the plant would be to nearby community centers.
“Hillendale Elementary and Flat Rock Middle School is only 1.2 miles from this,” Wood said.
Sugg also responded to this Monday.
“There are standards that are set that tell us how far we have to be from schools, parks, churches, residences, all kinds of things, and we have met that,” Sugg said.
People on Thursday said they are far from finished with this fight.
“Getting petitions, dropping off papers, trying to get this stopped because it will destroy our neighborhood,” Williams said.
On Thursday morning, Flat Rock Village Council voted unanimously to tell Henderson County commissioners not to approve the rezoning.
The proposal moves to the county’s technical review committee next Tuesday. That will be a public Zoom meeting.
