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TRC delays SEC Freeport hot-mix asphalt plant decision after safety concerns, pending ZBA appeal
Summary
The Walton County Technical Review Committee continued the application for a proposed SEC Freeport hot-mix asphalt plant to its May 7 meeting after staff cited new safety information about truck access and residents filed objections; the applicant has appealed the staff's determination that the project is a major development.
Walton County planning staff and residents raised traffic and safety concerns and the Technical Review Committee voted to continue consideration of a proposed SEC Freeport hot-mix asphalt plant until the TRC meeting on May 7, 2025, after the applicant filed an appeal of the county's development classification.
The item was introduced as "SEC Freeport, hot mix asphalt plant" and staff said additional information provided to the applicant the previous day showed the project's potential scale and raised safety concerns about trucks entering and exiting the nearby highway. Planning staff said they had determined the initial minor development application must be resubmitted as a major development and that the applicant had appealed that determination to the Board of Adjustment. Staff said they were making new resident comments part of the record and recommended continuing consideration until after the applicant's appeal and related ZBA proceedings.
Why it matters: Planning staff cited highway access and truck movements as a public-safety concern that the TRC could not fully evaluate without more documentation and without the ZBA's decision on the appeal. Neighbors told staff they opposed reestablishing an asphalt operation at the site.
Planning staff said the applicant was given additional materials reflecting scale and potential safety mitigations and that staff wanted to provide the applicant an opportunity to respond. The applicant's representative objected to postponing the TRC's review before the appeal was heard, saying the appeal was filed and the applicant would not waive it. Staff and the applicant disagreed about timing but agreed the applicant should be allowed to respond to newly submitted information.
The committee moved, seconded and voted to continue the item to the May 7 TRC meeting at 8:30 a.m.; the motion carried with no recorded opposition.
What the TRC recorded: the item will return to TRC after the applicant's appeal is considered; staff will expect additional applicant responses addressing the newly submitted material and truck/highway mitigation options.
Next steps: The TRC placed the item on the May 7, 2025 agenda so the applicant can present updated materials after the ZBA appeal is heard (staff said the appeal would be heard before a Thursday in April).
