NAMPA, Idaho — Community members will have to wait until Feb. 27 to testify against a proposed concrete batch plant after the City of Nampa's Planning and Zoning Commission postponed the hearing during Tuesday's meeting.
"[I'm] pretty disappointed," Vince Armbruster said. "[P&Z says] they're representing us, but at the same time, you know, what is the benefit of the community? You know, for them to put this off, or even to consider Sunroc to come in and do these plants."
Utah-based construction company Sunroc wants another conditional use permit to build the plant south of Nampa's airport in a 7.83-acre area zoned light industrial. Nampa's planning director told KTVB the first CUP for the project, approved about a year ago, expired after the company did not apply for permits in time.
Last year, he said there was very little pushback.
"I think the reason it might have gotten looked over before is because the area they're putting in has a lot of small businesses," community member Patti Quinn said. "It's a light industrial park. So, they're small stuff, and I think people probably just missed it as another little business."
Quinn lives near the proposed concrete plant. She worries about potential health hazards, especially for the youngest generation.
"What do we do for that 5-year-old child in three to five years who gets sick because he's been breathing in small amounts? I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, small amounts of cement dust, for the last three to five years," Quinn said.
Armbruster agrees. He worries about traffic, air pollution and water contamination.
"It's a concrete plant. There are rock quarries, it should be not by schools, houses, the suburbs," Armbruster said. "It's out of place, there's no reason for it."
Drey Campbell also thinks P&Z should deny the project altogether. He and his wife just bought a house in the area.
He said they likely would have reconsidered if they had known about the concrete plant, partly because of potentially decreased property values.
“It affects the health of the individuals, and I think it affects the aesthetic of the community," Campbell said.
In a statement, a Sunroc spokesperson expressed their commitment to building a better community. She did not explain why they wanted to postpone Tuesday's hearing other than that "it is just part of the process."
"The materials that come from this site will support the growth and infrastructure needs for many years," the spokesperson said. "Our hope is to work closely with the city in being compliant with all requirements."
P&Z could approve the project as is, approve with conditions or deny it. Once they reach a decision, community members with a vested interest and/or Sunroc have two weeks to appeal.
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