NAMPA, Idaho — In a win for many passionate community members, Nampa City Council unanimously denied a conditional use permit for a concrete plant during a meeting Monday night.
Utah-based company Sunroc wanted another CUP to build the plant south of Nampa's airport in an area zoned light industrial. The issue went before Council because the Planning and Zoning Commission denied the CUP in February.
Community member Patty Quinn said she is "beyond happy" with the decision. She wanted to thank the councilmembers who listened to the hours of testimony and sided with their constituents.
"We won," she said. "We are not going to have a concrete batch plant in our neighborhood. I do not have to worry about concrete trucks, do not have to worry about the kids that live across the street from me breathing in polluted air."
This was not the only speedbump Sunroc hit trying to get this project off the ground. City Council previously denied its appeal, asking the city to honor its first CUP for the project, which was approved last winter.
That CUP expired after the company did not apply for permits in time.
Before the meeting, several people told KTVB the plant would destroy their community. Some worried emissions from the plant would have created unsafe situations for pilots at the airport.
Others worried about possible health risks because of air pollution, traffic, noise and property values taking a hit.
Sunroc does not think the plan would negatively impact businesses or people living nearby. Spokesperson Nate McDonald said the plant would help Nampa keep up with growth in the area.
He also said the amount of emissions would be relatively low compared to a cement plant, which creates a very fine powder.
City Council has the final say. Sunroc could ask them to reconsider, but there will not be another public hearing. The company could also decide to take legal action.
In a statement, McDonald said, “We will continue our efforts to help build the community of Nampa. Every home, road, and building needs affordable concrete. That means we will continue to pursue every possible option.”
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