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Developers seek special‑use permit for asphalt plant on King Road; county hearing includes multi‑disciplinary review and will continue March 14
Summary
An applicant asked the board for a special‑use permit to operate an asphalt manufacturing and refining facility on an industrial parcel on King Road. The county received a multi‑volume environmental impact assessment and third‑party review; expert witnesses in engineering, environmental science, traffic and appraisal presented. Commissioners kept
An applicant seeking a special‑use permit to build an asphalt manufacturing and refining plant on an industrial parcel on King Road presented a multi‑discipline package to Chatham County commissioners Feb. 19; the hearing was left open and continued to March 14 for further consideration.
Applicant legal counsel and an expert team presented site engineering plans, a multi‑volume environmental impact assessment (EIA), traffic analysis and a market value appraisal. The county hired an outside reviewer, Spangler Environmental, which reviewed the applicant’s EIA over several iterations and provided completeness comments; the county’s consultant reported that the EIA reached a level of completeness for the board’s consideration after several rounds of supplemental information.
Applicant witnesses described design and mitigation measures: civil site plans; a sediment and stormwater control approach; estimated on‑site water recycling and treatment for asphalt manufacturing; and a traffic trip‑generation memo estimating relatively low peak‑hour truck and employee trip counts compared with other industrial uses. A licensed appraiser presented market comparisons and concluded the proposed plant was compatible with industrial land uses in the region and would not, in his view, impose measurable negative effects on surrounding property values in industrial areas where plants already operate.
Multiple residents and a county advisory member testified during the hearing with questions about airborne emissions, solvents historically used in asphalt manufacture, groundwater and cumulative impacts from nearby industrial activity. The board heard testimony that emphasized the comprehensiveness of the EIA and the multi‑disciplinary review, and also testimony requesting stricter limits on potential carcinogenic air emissions and tighter monitoring.
After initial presentations and public comment, the board continued the quasi‑judicial hearing and set a continuation date: March 14 at 6:00 p.m. to allow legal and technical issues to be refined and for additional evidence, as needed. No permit decision was made on Feb. 19; the applicant’s expert reports and the county’s third‑party review remain in the hearing record for further consideration.
