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Commission approves rezoning for 9.6-acre site; applicant says concrete batch plant will use modern dust and water controls
Summary
The commission rezoned a recently annexed 9.6-acre parcel to Industrial and approved the process to consider a special use permit for a concrete batch plant; the applicant described dust-collection, water recycling and truck-wash systems that he said meet current standards.
The City of Newberry City Commission voted 2–1 on Sept. 22 to adopt an ordinance rezoning a recently annexed 9.6-acre parcel from Alachua County agricultural designation to Newberry’s Industrial (I) zoning. The rezoning was the subject of a quasi-judicial proceeding; the commission heard staff overview, the applicant’s presentation and then deliberated before taking a vote.
John Paul Perez, community development staff, summarized the application and said the Planning & Zoning Board had recommended approval at its August 18 meeting. Applicant Bridal Hercules spoke on behalf of the proposal and provided a detailed description of the concrete batch plant equipment and mitigation measures. Hercules said the company will relocate from a leased, older site and invest in a new owned site with modern equipment. "This is the most high-tech system that we can place here in Newberry, and it truly controls dust," Hercules said, describing manufacturer-supplied dust cartridges and filtration that the applicant cited as capturing more than 99.5% of dust at loadout for particles 0.2–2 microns in size.
Hercules also described site design elements to limit environmental effects: concrete paving for truck and aggregate areas, detention and clean-out pits to capture wash water, on-site pH testing and treatment, water recycling to keep aggregate wetted and a 1,200-psi truck wash system to remove material before trucks leave the site. He said older equipment on the company’s current leased site would be dismantled and removed.
Perez noted the city had already received a special-use permit application for a concrete batch plant; that permit application will be considered separately under the city’s land-development rules. The commission conducted the quasi-judicial process described on the record — staff presentation, applicant remarks under oath, an opportunity for cross-examination and findings under the “competent substantial evidence” standard. No public speakers appeared to oppose or support during that item, and no cross-examination was requested.
The ordinance to rezone the parcel was approved following the procedure and vote. The commission’s attorney advised the body it must make factual findings supported by competent, substantial evidence to approve the rezoning; the recorded proceedings show the commission found such evidence sufficient.
Ending: The rezoning clears the way for the applicant’s next step — a special-use permit and detailed site approvals for a concrete batch plant. Applicant statements and the staff report describe industry-standard dust collection and water-control systems; the permit review process will be the forum to examine technical plans and conditions.
