A highly anticipated meeting of the Washington Parish Planning Commission was held on Tuesday, September 16. Originally set for the Parish Council Chambers, the standing-room-only crowd was moved to the upstairs courtroom of the Courthouse.
The large group in attendance was present to demonstrate their concern for and opposition of a proposed asphalt plant to be located off Highway 60 in the Enon community.
Commission Chairwoman Penny Moses called the meeting to order and outlined the procedures to be followed. She first allowed Stephen Duvernay, attorney for Leon Lowe & Sons Partnership, to outline the permit being sought and a brief history of the company. Many in the crowd's emotions ran high and several times Ms. Moses had to pause and remind the assembled audience that the meeting would be conducted in a professional manner, and no one was to speak out of turn.
Washington Parish Public Works Director Alex Sumrall clarified to the commission that all the needed paperwork and requirements for a permit were in place.
Mr. Duvernay introduced Toby Lowe and daughter Morgan and explained that the proposed asphalt plant will be located on a 2.3-acre site within a 74-acre tract already permitted for gravel mining. The plant will be 760 feet back from Hwy 60 and will operate on Monday - Friday from approximately 7:00 am to 3:00/4:00 pm with four to five workers on site. Duvernay added that the company is certified by the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), and all asphalt operations will be regulated by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) that will assess water samples from the site monthly. He also noted that no rock crushing will take place on site and the partnership currently purchases all gravel and sand from Washington Parish. He said the proposed plant will be smaller than other asphalt plants in Washington Parish and will primarily focus on serving small, local projects and jobs. Planning Commissioner Jerome Warren asked if a traffic impact study has been conducted and it has not.
Ms. Moses then recognized thirteen members of the audience who asked to speak at the meeting. The primary concerns these people spoke of are the potential dangers to well water, the smell emitted from the asphalt mix, and the air quality. Other concerns were the impact on property value and the lessening of quality of life currently enjoyed by the local residents.
Janet Magee Smith, who lives in Mandeville, grew up in the area. She is concerned about the potential for grave harm to the over 80 property owners less that two miles from the proposed plant as well as the nearby Enon Elementary School and Enon Baptist Church. Mrs. Smith added that the area continues to develop into a promising residential and recreational growth opportunity for Washington Parish.
She also said that Lowe & Sons has a file at Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) that was settled out of court. Mr. Duvernay rebutted that the LDEQ investigated the complaint in question and was exempted. He reiterated to Parish President Ryan Seal that the company has had no violations from OSHA or LDEQ.
Larry Smith read a letter in the absence of Anthony Sedlack who has a significant investment in Lake Isabel. Mr. Sedlack's letter stated he will seriously have to reconsider his intended investment of several million dollars into Isabel over the next 10-plus years if the asphalt plant is approved.
One of the most poignant statements came from Barbara Fussell whose entire immediate family lives on Bunny Lane, adjacent to the proposed plant site. She has numerous health concerns and has lived for 39 years on the property. She stated, "We don't want an asphalt plant next to our home!" Mrs. Fussell added that the Lowes offered a purification system to be installed in her home, and she wonders "why" if the asphalt process is safe.
Other speakers included John Barry, founding partner of Sandstone Lakes which is an upscale gated community; Chad Bordelon, owner of Fleur de Lis Event Center in Mandeville who has a lake house in the area; and Robert Watson who stated, "Water is more valuable than gold, silver or oil, and water is what we are most blessed with."
Chat Jones briefly summarized that the issue is quality of life, which is good in the area and the plant shouldn't have to be where the Lowes have chosen.
The final speaker was Jason Hunt, co-founder of Hunt Brothers and a Washington Parish native. He said he moved to St. Tammany Parish in the early 2000's, but the beauty of Enon/Isabel brought him home. He has invested millions in the 500 acres he owns and is pleased that it is rural, clean, and quiet. He asked the commission, "Why would you approve this?" He said health and safety are most important. Hunt hopes Lowe & Sons finds a place for its asphalt plant, but not in Enon.
Doug Conravey from Lowe & Sons responded to questions from the commissioners concerning the hauling of rock to the company's Pearl River operation and then hauling the same crushed rock back to Washington Parish and if there are carcinogens in materials used to make the asphalt. Conravey responded that there are no more than commonly found in household cleaners. He also confirmed that gravel will be mined on the remainder of the 74-acre site to utilize all of the property.
Chairwoman Moses complimented the audience as being one of the most "together" groups ever before the commission and she can see the comradery of the community. She then stated that there would be no vote at the meeting as the commission needed time to look through all the information presented. Meanwhile, the Planning Commission requests that the community and Leon Lowe & Sons try to find some common ground.
Mr. Duvernay wanted an opportunity to rebut the claims made by the community's speakers and asked for a vote before the meeting ended. He strongly felt that incorrect information had been given out about possible air and water hazards as well as concerns about noise and traffic. Moses asked that he send all the information to commissioners and wait the four weeks until the next meeting on October 21 for a decision to be made.
