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Morgan Lumber expansion draws noise and dust concerns at Charlotte County hearing
Summary
Neighbors told a joint Charlotte County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors hearing they worry a planned expansion by Morgan Lumber could increase noise, dust and hurt property values; the company said operations would remain a single day shift and staff proposed graveling truck areas to limit dust.
A joint public hearing of the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission on Aug. 9 examined Morgan Lumber Company Inc.’s application for a conditional use permit amid neighbors’ concerns about noise, dust and property values.
Adjacent landowner Mildred Burks told the Board and Commission she was worried about "additional noise, potential pollution and the potential impact on her property value" if Morgan Lumber expanded. Joan Davenport, another nearby property owner, asked for clarification on whether the expansion would increase dust and noise for surrounding properties.
County staff said driveways and the truck lot would be graveled to reduce dust and noted the business existed before the zoning ordinance; staff also said there are no established noise thresholds tied to the current development. John Morgan, the applicant, said the mill operates "no more than one twelve-hour shift, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.," that the company did not plan to add night shifts, and that a 350-horsepower blower and dust bin would replace an existing 250-horsepower system. Morgan also said a new planer would be installed inside a cinderblock building to help mitigate noise.
Supervisor Donna Fore pressed for measurable assurance, asking the applicant to record the current on-site noise level and repeat the measurement after the new equipment is operating "to ensure the noise levels remain relatively the same." Supervisor Kay Pierantoni said she would abstain from participating in discussion on the application. With no further public comment or Board questions, Chairman Andrew Carwile and Supervisor Garland Hamlett adjourned the joint hearing.
No formal motion or vote on the conditional use permit was recorded during the session; the hearing concluded after public comment and Board discussion. Any formal action, such as a continuance, vote or conditions attached to a permit, would be reflected in subsequent meeting minutes or a follow-up hearing.
