Washington County Quorum Court denies O'Brien Ready Mix conditional use permit after residents raise health, safety and compatibility concerns

The Washington County Quorum Court on Nov. 12 adopted an ordinance denying a conditional use permit (CUP) for O’Brien Ready Mix’s proposed concrete mixing facility near Bob Kidd Lake, after extended public comment and questions from justices about dust, traffic safety, water use and neighborhood compatibility.

The court’s final roll-call vote adopted an ordinance denying the CUP. Justice Robert Dennis moved to deny the CUP; the motion was carried in roll call (majority yes, one abstention). The ordinance corrects the planning-board approval date to Oct. 30, 2025 and advances no permitting for the project at the proposed site.

Residents and nearby landowners told the court the site — about 7.42 acres with roughly 4.5 acres proposed for development — sits too close to homes, a veterinary clinic and Bob Kidd Lake. "We are about 500 feet from the proposed site," said Ashley Lester, a nearby resident and one of several public commenters who urged denial because of noise, bright nighttime lighting, constant truck traffic and the potential for dust to affect public health. Appellants cited petitions and written opposition collected during the planning-board process and told the court they had submitted thousands of signatures opposing the project.

Appellants’ technical and environmental…