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Residents urge pause on cement batch plant near Canterbury Lake Estates, citing health, traffic and aquifer risks
Summary
Neighbors and county staff clashed over a cement batch plant being built near Canterbury Lake Estates; residents called for a construction stay, environmental and traffic impact reviews, and more public engagement even though the site is zoned industrial.
At a County Commission meeting, multiple residents of Canterbury Lake Estates pressed the board to halt construction on a cement batch plant they say is being built about 500 feet from homes and adjacent to the Withlacoochee Trail.
"A cement batch plant is being built directly behind our community less than 500 feet from houses," said Sharon Sonotti, who asked the board to impose a stay on construction until environmental and traffic impact studies are completed. She told commissioners she is concerned about silica dust, noise, truck traffic and effects on the aquifer and nearby wildlife.
Barry Tillis and Raymond Kowalski, neighbors, echoed those concerns and noted a school and a popular trail lie within the area residents fear may be affected. Tillis said the site has been zoned industrial since at least 1990 and that state permitting by FDEP and FDOT "do not necessarily address whether this project is appropriate for its current surroundings or consistent with the community's well-being."
Commissioners and staff explained the legal and zoning limits. Commissioner Holly Davis told residents the property’s industrial zoning predates the subdivision and that the county lacks authority to roll back a lawful zoning designation without exposing taxpayers to a "Bert Harris" takings claim. Eric (Growth Management staff) said that permits are issued under current standards, meaning any environmental and operational permits will reflect 2026 rules, not 1990 codes. He also described the county’s noise and hours-of-operation enforcement and invited residents to report nuisances so code enforcement can measure decibels or verify hours of operation.
The board did not vote on a stay. Several commissioners offered to meet with residents and staff and asked county growth-management staff to review applicable noise and operating conditions. Commissioner Davis offered to meet with residents and to coordinate staff briefings and possible neighborhood meetings. Staff suggested code enforcement would respond to reported nuisances and that any noncompliance could trigger enforcement action.
What’s next: Residents said they want formal environmental and traffic studies and additional community engagement. The board encouraged residents to document complaints and agreed staff would follow up; no formal stay or ordinance change was enacted at the meeting.
